By Jim Riley
Recently, my doctor
Turned a reverse linguistic page.
“You’re doing very well, my friend,
Compared to other men your age.”
Did he mean I’m doing well
Compared to declining others?
Is he making decline look favorable,
Contrasting aging human brothers?
You no longer need a prostate check,
Nor a proctoscopy screen;
You’ll likely die of something else,
It’s not like you’re a teen.
“The markers all look very good
For a male of senior years,”
Yet such patronizing word play
Only plays on aging fears.
Perhaps a good approach might be
To document and advise.
Clearly tell what the data means,
And what behaviors would be wise.
Just tell me, Doc. I’m doing fine
But slowly aging is the truth;
Eat well and keep on moving.
Understand, you’re not a youth.
About those minor aches and pains
Each morning upon arising:
Get used to them and toughen up.
It’s normal, not surprising.
Floss your teeth and wash your hands
Many times throughout the day.
Make some friends and learn new things
And your life will be OK.
By those words I would abide:
Life could be far worse.
I appreciate as years go by,
Aging is a blessing and a curse.
