days of old age dust
sprinkle over the hand written note
left on his wooden secretary
one must ride oppositions out,
heed life's railings
falling or climbing,
drifting upwards or descending
Aquarius to Leo
tired old man opens his swollen eyes
to the medicine cabinet door gesturing
where he recognizes that familiar symphony,
gut bearing bottles and vials calling,
as he gulps down a fist of pills:
thinking..."just once in my lifetime,
the holder will now become the gatherer"
9/11/73
Bisbee