we swap details of each
others’ ailments as if trading
cigarette cards, although
the only thing to change
hands is our sympathy,
any slight variations
become subject to curious
questioning, the subtle
pros and cons weighed out
like the pocket money sweets
of our childhoods,
we are all damaged, having
been carefully patched up
like old favourite clothing,
made comfortable for
our twilight years where
little will be expected of us,
wry humour leaps between us
like a tired grasshopper
but this therapy is the most
efficacious to be had and we
suffer it gladly
© Graham R Sherwood 07/26
grahamrichardsherwood.co.uk 