Getting Younger

GETTING YOUNGER

I MUST BE GETTING YOUNGER
OR SENILE
OR BOTH

SHE
WHO NEVER WEARS WHITE
PAST LABOR DAY
AND WATCHES OVER MY COMING
AND GOING
MOSTLY GOING

STANDING AT THE DOOR
WAITING TO INSPECT THE TROOPS
WATCHING CAREFULLY
LEST SOMEONE SLIP BY

THOSE COLORS
ARE NOT COMPLIMENTARY
SHE’LL SAY

I DIDN’T KNOW
THEY WERE TALKING TO EACH OTHER
I’LL SAY

THEN WITH EYES LIFTED TO HEAVEN
SHE’LL EXPLAIN TO ME AGAIN
SOME ARCANE RULING
ABOUT STRIPES AND PLAID
WARM AND COLD COLORS
THEIR SEASONAL LIMITATIONS

OY VEY
I THOUGHT THE BIBLE WAS HARD
WHO MADE THESE RULES
WHERE ARE THEY WRITTEN DOWN

AND FINGER GESTURES

IF I HAVE KETCHUP ON MY MOUSTACHE
I CAN MAKE A LUNAR LANDING
WITH A NAPKIN
BY WATCHING A FINGER ON HER FACE

IF MY FLY IS DOWN
WHICH SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN
I CAN TELL BY THE
GIVE ME STRENGTH LOOK
AS SHE STANDS IN FRONT OF ME
SO I CAN MODESTLY ADJUST

I THINK
SHE AND MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
ARE IN COMPETITION

THOUGH IF TRUTH BE TOLD
I PROBABLY NEED BOTH

WHEN WE GO TO THE DOCTORS
I ALWAYS TELL THE NURSE
TO CHECK THE CLEAN UNDERWEAR BOX
I HEAR ECHOES OF MY MOTHER
IT’S A REFLECTION ON ME

I MUST BE GETTING YOUNGER
BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO BED
WATCHED OVER BY GOD AND HER
I SLEEP LIKE A BABY

FRANK A VOLLMER