Diameter

Growing older is a question of adjustment.
The measures of our lives change daily:
the lengthy ribbon of time coils behind us
and stretches ahead still-- in shorter length.
Our world's diameter shrinks,

and we find ourselves isolated and

alone in a narrow world

of too-far-to-walk and too-tired-to-drive;

of meals and plans too much for one, 

of contemplating leftovers

of all varieties.

The weight of youthful optimism 

is no match for the grumbling lump

of complaint that overbalances it.

I am heavy with it, come up short

in every comparison. I am

too long, too short, too heavy, too light,

too weary, too late, too early,

too long in this world, but

not ready for the next.