-battle of the fogies-

time wears away at fragile youth,
pulling you
on a roller coaster ride to death.

soft, bland food
slides through a gummy mouth,
working its way down ancient pipes.

bingo cards blur beneath vanishing sight.
smoke permeates the air with a choking whisper.
cancer licks at aging lungs.

the television buzzes loudly,
noise inaudible to deaf ears.
bodies void of life
rock comatose before the evening news.

a single shriek tears through the stale air
as you fall upon a broken hip,
ending the battle of the fogies.