Senility Orbit:

The thrust of youth’s booster rockets is spent

10,000 leagues beyond the maturity horizon-

here the setting sun is an ever present view  

outside the small space you have come to.

Once you were encircled by the sons of man

now gravity flails you and you labor to stand-

this is that odd place that depletes the soul 

enduring the daily grind of an age grown old.

The view through the two foggy portals is less

than clear, out of focus, and less than sincere- 

It seems the primary navigation is out of sorts

so what was here yesterday is now misplaced.

The environment seem to pitch, spin, and roll

at times up seem down and the left seem right

your equilibrium is unbalanced and taking a toll

and the ending result causes a life filled fright.

If you dial home it results in a numbered list

of one through ten so please take one that fits 

unless it's an emergency then hang up and call

if your earthbound nature has resulted in a fall.

So now you’re the one needing special care

breathing the same air while here on board

and listlessly sitting alone with blank stares

out a window or at the back of closed doors.

Thinking now there should have been more

like preparatory camp or advanced training-

with an attempt to salvage the day before

the jettison of a normal life without warning.

Upgrade or refurbish is no longer available

and parts for repair are not on the market-

reversing thrust or retrograde is untenable

for you’ve already entered the senility orbit.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Sorry to say Carl, I totally agree with you...I am in that orbit as well, and my hubby....we do need advanced training in order to have an inkling about senility.... how to prepare...and it can happen quickly....oh! to be young again....old age can be devastatingly awful....being alone...retreating from the social circle... needing care...should I say more??? oh yes, my equilibrium is off!
Warmly, B

[carl]

to be young again is such a mixed bag - have thought about it in many various scenarios but had to decide what was, is what was needed to be; so I will try to be content and enjoy what is left. thanks for the read and review much appreciated. -carl

[Betty Hermelee]

My Pleasure Carl. I just hope none of us suffers
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am also in that orbit.
and the rocket is going at warp speed.
I never asked to get a ticket on to this ship.
j.

[carl]

thank you kindly for the review - and yes I sometimes think I was press-ganged - be well and thanks for the read -carl

[RomaJ]

Carl, this is such a powerful and deeply reflective piece. The space imagery gives the poem a haunting sense of distance and disorientation, yet also a quiet dignity and grace. The idea of being caught in a “senility orbit” feels both tragic and tender, capturing the struggle between body, mind, and memory with striking clarity. There’s such honesty in your words, and the result is a truly heartfelt meditation on endurance and the human spirit.

[carl]

thank you for your detailed review it helps greatly to know how my writing comes across to the reader. I'm glad the space imagery came out as a visual place that senility can be. Some of the feelings are my own some from my observation of a dear friend in the throes of age and failing health. thanks again for the read -carl

[John the Baptist]

Grim stuff here, Carl. I used to work in a chronic disease hospital where many people were stuck in just such a trap. I don't think it's inevitable, though. Diet, exercise, spirituality and attitude can hold off senility until that last bell calls us home.

[carl]

thanks for the read and review much appreciated. Doing all we can to hold off senility is definitely the best approach. and I see that it is somewhat of a coin toss as some experience it and others don't - I saw a vast difference between my aging parents in that regard- take care be safe - carl