there isn't energy to pull up
on this windy day
under a sky undecided
matching our autumn mood
between sun and maybe sun

bright thoughts, as I age
lean towards cityscape convenience
short walks, take out, sidewalk cafes
where people don't need partners 
because alone is cool,
academic wool warmth,
philosophically a stereotype
high on the wannabe mountain
or deep in the canyon of regrets.

college days of endless study,
card games and chugging cheap wine.
primed we were to change the world.

Sour and scoured of naive dreaming,
we plunge into griping, shorter walks,
and chatting about our arthritis.

M.Flannery

October 2023