Wassail

The old lion 

still has his teeth

he isn’t too old 

to twist the knife

when he wants to 

in fact his wits

are just as quick 

as they’ve ever been. 

He’s able to carry

plate and chair and 

cup and thermos and 

bag and other bag

so younger men may 

continue to envy his 

strength.

And let’s all agree

that the charm pours on

as thick as ever

like maple syrup

aged in a bourbon barrel 

beguiling the girls at the 

coffee shop and on

the pickleball court. 

Over a decade

and a half there have been

many days 

where only 

the prospect of a quick kill

dragged me out of my bed

so let’s continue 

to say to one another

Leofue freond wæs hail 

Beloved friend, wassail!

most mornings

until the stars crumble

into dust.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion#/media/File:Lion_(Panthera_leo)_male_6y.jpg