It feels like I should write a poem today
and savor it, along with nuts and wine
and cheesecake. I’ll select some words to say
here’s something for attaining 69.
Of course I never contemplated this
advancing to an age I thought was old.
I didn’t see the pains approach, the kiss
of gum disease, or aches in joints controlled
or maybe calmed by joints or oblong pills.
The lumbar weakness took me by surprise.
By luck I mediated stress with drills
of exercise and writing: body-wise
and lucky too genetically it seems –
with luck my future will exceed my dreams.