for Joe, George, Allan, Mitch, and Chris


Once a year now we meet
up at old Val-des-Bois
different combinations of the gang
gathered over the decades
one of our troop always kind enough
to provide the lodging
and we all pitch in on the rest

None of us can imbibe or inhale
like we used to
long gone the need to impress anyone
but ourselves
happy just to relax
breathe in that fresh mountain air
watch nature takes its course

Our bodies calling to us
individually - together
saying it’s time to slow down
each can see it in the others’
faces - voices - body language
the arms - back - legs
a little stiffer
with a distinctive tremble
every now and then

But there’s lots of work to do
to keep the circulation going
cooking and dishes
renovations - yard work
getting the place tidy
while the lady of the house
is at another cottage
reminiscing with old girlfriends

As for the blue lighters
call it coincidence or
maybe synchronicity
as this gathering of the brotherhood
all three of us arrived
with the same colored Bic

© 2019

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09/17/2019

Posted on 09/17/2019
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti