Middle Age (Peter O’Neill)
Screw middle age! At least, that’s how I always Used to feel about it. You’re as old, or as young, As you feel. Or, so I used to think.
Then, like the dreaded furies, she left me With her calling cards, all three! Rhinitis, Thyroid dysfunction, and then just for good measure
She blessed me with an absolutely ghastly dose Of ulcerous colitis. Now, my life is governed by diets, Stress management and breath control.
I wait for my monthly meetings up at the hospital, To meet with my support group. Inside the reception Area I stop before the bakery shop
With its mountain of cream doughnuts and custard Tarts. There it stands like a fabulous metaphor for my Once mythic youth, when I could feast and gorge with impunity.
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