Category Archives: Aging

The October Plan

Posted on March 17, 2026 by sputterpub

October travel calls from months away.My first-born has her golden jubilee.I’m sponsoring a trip for us – I’ll paythe fares for where she’ll soon decide to be.It looks like London’s her first choice, to stayat least a week, with days … Continue reading →

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Next

Posted on March 15, 2026 by sputterpub

Announcing hospice as the next addressto which she’ll move her mother, I was stunned.I hid surprise to not compound her stress,but had no clue the case was moribund.Poor thing: her mother’s age is three years lessthan 80. We all thought … Continue reading →

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On the Street

Posted on March 14, 2026 by sputterpub

He wasn’t pleased I didn’t deign to pauseand let him canvass me to give or sign.His “don’t you care about black women” clauseexasperated me. I can refineobjection – I don’t quarrel with the cause –but I object to wasted words. … Continue reading →

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Recess

Posted on March 11, 2026 by sputterpub

I thought I’d dedicate today to rest –no exercise or writing, no commute.I’d be a sedentary girl – at best,I might acquire birthday gifts or fruit.But I have time – the shelf’s not destitute,and anniversaries are days away.I liked the … Continue reading →

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Catarrh?

Posted on March 10, 2026 by sputterpub

I used to know exactly how a coldproceeds in me, from throat to nose to chest.But unpredictable is growing old –less often ill but more allergic, messedin joint and hand strength, prone to bruise, cajoledby recollection. Am I sick? I … Continue reading →

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Present Tuesdays

Posted on March 4, 2026 by sputterpub

I go to work on Tuesday for no pay –the final phase in ending a careerI didn’t plan, that spanned until todaya half a century, it does appear.I put in half a day as volunteer,including lunch (good aliment and wine,and … Continue reading →

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Excess

Posted on March 2, 2026 by sputterpub

Abundant wine last Saturday, althoughaccompanied by lavish food and chat,resulted in an interrupted flowof recollection. Maybe worse than that,a headache bowed my neck and didn’t goaway until I slept and drank a vatof water. It should come as no surprisehow … Continue reading →

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Number

Posted on March 1, 2026 by sputterpub

When I was 12 or so, I liked the pool,adored the beach, and flourished at the lake.In southern California, after school,on weekends, and each summer we would taketo water, moving till our limbs were loose,our bodies empty, and we felt … Continue reading →

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Chilly Morning

Posted on February 27, 2026 by sputterpub

At half past 5 I rose to start the heat.That’s something that I’ve never done before.But age has made me shiver, and the feetof February walk with even morechill temperature than usual. We’re poorwithstanding cold; our windows are not storm.I … Continue reading →

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Pause

Posted on February 25, 2026 by sputterpub

I wish he had less stress and she less grief,but there’s not much for either I can do –they’re grown and have to manage their relief.I start to fret, and then admit that’s true.If I were dead, they’d find their … Continue reading →

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