Useless

Useless There was a time when I was wanted people would hunger for my company now I am chocolate rice cereal left in the bowl of life too long, soggy…pale my flavor and color have both been absorbed into the milk of the world My brain had been as morning coffee strong and bold now diluted and cold, left out standing wasted no amount of sugar or sweet cream can bring it back to a freshness needed My arms and legs were as tree trunks straight, outreaching….full of life they, weathered and worn sapped of the youth they once held, are fragile I dare not move from my chair for fear the breeze, or a bump from a stranger would fell me, and I would be as kindling broken Oh heart, still beating to a rhythm not your own like clockwork you pulsate blood that struggles to carry the oxygen from my lungs. Keeping pace by a machine strapped to my hip I feel every pulse, knowing that at one time love, life and joy coursed through my veins, now I curse at the knowledge that I am dying I smell of excrement At one time I traveled the globe, each land captured to film, and souvenirs from each continent placed upon my refrigerator. I keep no food there now for incontinence dictates that my diet be a steady menu of prescriptions from doctors who know not what they do they Practice medicine In my leaving I know that I have had good times that I shared and enjoyed the beauties of life the pain that I sense is not the decay of flesh but the fight of the body to hang on to the joys once had even in weakness, there is strength. © Copyright 2001 1st Poet Inc. William S. Dawes November 18, 2001 Written October 18th, 2001 © on Jan 19 2002 07:58 AM PST   0 • 1