The Senior Citizen Curse |by Mark Tulin/ The Drabble

Things have changed since my early years. I’m not young and dumb anymore. My spontaneous teenage ways…
— First published in The Drabble. Featured image copyrighted by Mark Tulin. The photo was taken at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

The Senior Citizen Curse
By Mark Tulin

Things have changed
since my early years
I’m not young and dumb
anymore
My spontaneous teenage ways
went out with the dishwater
I don’t go anywhere
without an extra sweater
or an umbrella
I know too much
My naïveté is gone
along with the hair on my head
and the muscle tone
I hear too much,
even when my hearing aid
is turned down low
I don’t do foolish things
like I used to,
or jump on bandwagons,
or try spicy foods
without an antacid
I see the world
with a grain of salt,
and a cautious point of view.

              
“Writing helps me to be mindful of my inner voice.” – the writer