That lingering

That once new frying pan
with food sticking to
teflon scratches
My future kidney cancer

That once new heart
that had never been broken
Nylon stints
Support arteries that had
Very little bacon fat
but more whiskey and cigarettes

20 year roof or 30 year roof?
I’ll take the 20 year roof

Short poems
that aren’t

Long lives filled
With memories of promises
Anticipation of approval
Now intent on waiting
Until the next life

The cascading tick tock
of the many clocks
In my paraplegic Grandfather’s
repair shop
Comes to mind for a brief moment
Blown away
by the wind of time itself

New Years Day 2024 – SGL Brunswick, ME

(Thank you John (Campion) for this idea and all the wonderful moments of revelation that all have provided this year of “short” poems of no expectations )