long in the tooth

there are certain idiosyncrasies

to the daily goings on of old people

which I consciously try to avoid.

nonetheless, when applied to my routine

they're accomplished with the best of intensions.

––I leave notes to myself everywhere

for just about anything.

“see doctor Mangioni, six months

from today, which is

Wednesday, November 13th, 2024"––

and if my head didn’t weigh

as much as a tenpin bowling ball,

I’d have a better chance at staying awake

when company calls. which is never.

but that’s ok with me.

besides, it's probably ok with whoever

the company would've been.

yesterday I strung the keys to the doorknob

so I wouldn't leave without them.

but leave to go where?... I don’t know.

1.

the roadmap is shrinking fast at the borderlines.

2.

the neighborhood kids stand on my lawn

simply for the pleasure of hearing me yelling.

3.

It's true. the one cardigan is enough.

4.

although the lapse in sensory perception was temporary,

I couldn't smell myself earlier this morning.