DECREPITUDE

 DECREPITUDE

 

 Decrepitude,

I had been forewarned

that this would happen,

it is true.

A decrepit old has been,

once reminded was I

upon receiving my first bifocals.

I swear, I wear

decrepitude like a shirt tag

upon my body,

doomed to shrinking

inch by inch,

ever relentless

the laws of gravity.

The cartilage deprivation

makes even the

well paved roads to Hell,

a journey filled with

walking and wincing.

 

Decrepitude

and diminishment

synonymous words

are they?

How we empower

these two word

impacts

our life's actions

with positive or

negative energy.

Can they be virtues?

Without these words

a life full of distractions

wanders aimlessly,

caught in an endless maze

of no purpose, no direction.

 

Decrepitude

is laced with

diminishment

which sharpens the mind,

clarifying that

which has precedence,

importance,

heightening the senses.

In growing lesser,

ironically produces

greater growth,

an emptying out of self

so relationships with others

may fill lives to the brim.

As I have diminished

in decrepitude,

you have grown

even more in my life,

but, you do not come alone,

you bring with you

the life force of our God.

© 2105. The Book Of Ruth, Deacon Bob Wagner OFS. All rights reserved.