I’m losing people now. The rate of birth
of grandkids doesn’t nearly compensate
for folks I used to love who’ve left the earth,
and for acquaintances who relocate
as age inspires them to seek more heat
or less expensive residence. So Mark
and Peg have moved to Utah – Sue and Pete
returned to Minnesota’s winter dark.

Now Pat misplaces memory while Paul
has lost all speech. A couple dozen friends
have taken leave in several manners. All
or most on whom my company depends
are wandering away, struck down, or lured
by recommended tactics, to be cured.