A Scatterbrained Man
I’m actually able to think quite clearly;
thou names, very often, escape me;
I can intelligently respond to most any query;
unless my fatigue overtakes me.
My intellect has been sufficiently trained;
I’ve worked in very many vocations;
many, I’m around, think I’m scatterbrained;
and I’m hurt by such false allegations.
Many people just don’t know how to take me;
for I’m old and they don’t understand;
some go the other way; in order to escape me;
as a true friend; I’m in little demand.
No one ever openly shares negative thought;
although I sometimes see it in their eyes;
most are polite; like their parents had taught;
so their courtesy is no surprise.
Generally they treat me as the old man, I am;
saying “Mister” as though my first name;
uncomfortable treating me as any other man;
for my life is no longer the same.
My memory has lately become selective;
no longer recalling “chapter and verse”
in kindness; others become protective;
in my mind; that makes it worse.
I’ve faced hardships; had victory and defeat;
I know my accomplishments and worth;
I’ve reached the place where life and death meet;
I am a beaten down prodigal of earth.
No one means me harm; tho harm is what I feel;
often, even kindness takes me to the brink;
what used to be reality, has become surreal;
a scatterbrained man is not what they think;
Monty 8/28/24. # 2,301