The Day After - July 2, 2025

celebrations of 73 don’t linger

bubbly birthday wishes fade

clever cards are disposed

reality checks off another year

climbing years over, I notice

there’s little braking on my

downhill run, even with

helping hands to slow me

a momentum that can’t be

stopped, only drawn-out

when time is dreamed

as much as it is fallen in

and wouldn’t it be awful

after one’s final stumble

to lay helpless at the bottom

no one to lift you up

only death’s strong arms

to finish the job