A weak back, brittle bones, and gum disease
all constitute amazements as I age.
I wasn’t predisposed to maladies
of mouth or spine, according to the gauge
that served me otherwise. I thought I knew
my body like I understand my mind.
But looking at conditions living threw
at me, perhaps my third eye’s kind of blind.

And just as I did not predict I’d wed
and bear the kids that led to progeny,
I never dreamed the others would be dead
by now, who shared the grand heredity.
Just two of six still stand, and one won’t rise
to stand. Today’s compounding my surprise.