the die-down

most of us/before we die/die down.

you can say dial-down if it makes you feel better./most of us are comforted/by some degree of euphemism. “die” in its various forms proves too//off-switchy.

this seventy-year old text-speaking to you/is dying down. his muscles do not bunch the way they did/and his brain shrinks. the fires of his youthful lust/are mere embers, glowing dimly./his skin withers and his hair/has lost pigmentation

but on the upside anxiety is down/braggadocio is down/vanity takes a back seat to sanity/and contentment is frequent

the die-down devalues hoopla/and prizes the warm glow of a comfortable conversation/and a restful nap? o my

“in seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy” said william blake

may you have a long, enjoyable winter, my listening friend/with underblanket warmth/and much hot soup and oatmeal and coffee/tea/chocolate

and then

let Spring follow