*****

The poet confesses this “piece of work” to be something of a personal favorite

*****

Recorded Reading (2:07): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pdog5r9ifjla4af3r93cv/Gracelessly-Aging-Maven.mp3?rlkey=5gn9qc9zf9ybwjf7z1344ciqb&dl=0

*****

Gracelessly Aging Maven

I’ve got a right to be feisty
I hurt all over myself
Everyone fifty and younger
Keeps trying to put me
Back up on some shelf!

Oh, do you find me somewhat testy?
I’ve had all the bullshit I can
Serenely intake
In one significantly
Hyperextended lifespan

If I seem a little impatient
At your oh-so-lovely display
Of this or of that
For some feminine purpose
Well, I just can’t stand here all day

My hips and my back they are aching
My feet they are totally numb
Your voice in my ears
Is all overlaid
By some constant, anonymous hum

But, as they say, that is okay
Beause I have heard it before
And doubtless I heard it from somebody who
Lied better than you do,
What’s more

Your machinations are transparent
As through the most finely glazed glass
Hidden motivations
All clearly apparent
In these wise old peepers, my lass!

If fortune does favor the foolish
And you get to my age to be
We’ll see with my right
To be badly uptight
You don’t find you grow to agree

When people all look just like babies
And autos all seem just the same
Many modern words
In each conversation
The meanings of which you can’t name

As if that’s not enough, your back’s bent in half
And feels every bit of it, too
Don’t go anywhere
Because people stare
And folks have to slow down for you

Not even to mention, upon your return
From every side trip to the toilet
Your feeble relief
Comes swiftly to grief:
Another trip comes up to spoil it

Yes, I’ve earned the right to be crabby
Be crabby late and crabby soon
As long as I’m having to listen
To juvenile nonsense,
You little buffoon!

*****

Until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ and to begin once again to create professional connections and to rebuild her life, this poet presently lives homeless and at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level ~ still working seven days a week to contribute to her society, however.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S, or choose to send a personal check to the poet’s ABLE account. It takes about two weeks for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

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