too much food only makes us sick
back in the day when food was scarce
the lion's share was given to the youth
as old men's lives withered away
completely spent
with heaven closing in
the bowl was passed
not wasted on the wasting away
old men do not need a tooth
pearly white for the ladies
shiny clean hygiene
or fresh minty breath
with nothing left that needs chewing
no romance ahead that needs doing
useless carbohydrates
red protein meat
slimy clams of erectile zinc
old men avoid the tender side of mouths
tonguing the mush into other cheeks
we favor the side that causes less pain
until the better side breaks down, too
overworked
what are we to do?
at the end of days
in old men's nights
there are two broken sides
let youth ignorant of dentists be wise
do every action with big trusty smiles
speak every dumbfounded word aloud
every wad of bubblegum proud
every jaw-breaker and beetle nut
let old men waste not your food
with precious little time
we save our spit for washing down pills
that solidify our orchestrated movement
2-11-15
