Five Poems by Henry Wolstat

 

On the Acela

 

Speeding down the tracks

a much needed respite

this hot, humid summer

dealing with medical

diagnoses, this once

invincible marathoner

approaching his ninetieth

year of life is angry,

despondent, but not

defeated by this

turn in his health.

 

He looks forward

to a few days in

the Big Apple

with those he

loves and love

him.

 

 

Spirit of the Peddler

 

My uncle was a peddler

with a horse and wagon;

he sold household goods

and had a steady clientele.

Age ten he took me on

one of his routes.

 

These days all you need

is a computer and

and access to E-Bay;

the wares are often

recycled junk and

people are eager to buy.

 

The spirit of the old peddler

is still with us even if

the technology has changed.

 

 

Aging Thoughts

 

I’m rounding that corner

toward my ninth decade

and my body isn’t as

happy as it used to be,

but I feel young

and optimistic

despite all those

annoying medical

appointments and tests,

like a vintage

auto that needs

a major tune-up

to keep moving

since I can’t

trade it in

for two forty-fives.

Henry Wolstat is a retired psychiatrist in his late 80’s living in the greater Boston area with his wife.  He is the author of a poetry book, “Driftwood”.  He has also been published in both printed anthologies and online. He is passionate about running, the arts, and poetry.