Mid-Life Crisis

Sore big toe on my left foot

Achy joint on my middle finger

New shooting pains

High blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar

Fitful sleep

Crushing fatigue

Postponed dreams

Bravado in the face of rejection

Then self-doubt hours later

Empty calories

Creeping realizations

Fewer and fewer paths of escape

More wisdom, perhaps

But no audience

Just one in ten billion or so

Comfort in the fur of a dog

A hug

Friends

A bellyaching laugh

An impulse buy

A soft chocolate chip cookie

And tea