Happy 144th

Turning 144 years old

One hundred forty-four

But here I sit �" I’m still alive.

A century and four decades gone,

And somehow I survive

Alone and aging by myself,

Gazing in the mirror

Pondering life’s mysteries,

And why I see one here

 

What have I done to persevere?

Oh, why do I remain?

All is gone. There’s no one left.

Why endure this pain?

But yet I sit in front the mirror,

Just as I’ve always done

Searching for the youth I’ve lost,

And always finding none

 

My hands?

Torn and wrinkled maps that lead to moments of my past:

The handshakes, fist fights, bumps and scars,

And loves that didn’t last.

My legs?

Inactive vessels, they once carried me around.

Surrendered now to fragile feet

That drag across the ground.

 

No more sports and no more travels.

No more playground fun.

No more mischief or adventure.

All those days are done.

My ears?

They’re but a locked door that have long since lost the key 

All melodies of song and voice, Sealed out eternally.

 

My eyes?

Floodgates broken on and on by tears and old regrets

A foggy set of waterfalls

As time collects its debts.

Enemies. Family. Friends.

All of them have died

Taken by a final fate

I’ve somehow been denied

 

Their ashes swirl in my mind.

So do memories lost

Each time I’ve dared to share my heart,

I’ve paid this wretched cost

One hundred forty-four,

But here I sit - and I alone.

My heart?

Its final beating drum still chooses to postpone.

 

What have I done to persevere?

Oh, why do I remain?

All is gone. There’s no one left.

Just pain. This pain.

This ... pain.