like taking out the trash

retrieving the newspaper

putting on my Boxers

my wife is not impressed

she is still active

and thankfully tells me

what to do

if not for her direction

I would be lost

since most of the time

I cannot remember what comes next

such is the condition of

a man now gray and vision impaired

and with a mind that wanders

my wife reminds me on a daily basis

I am not as young as I once was

she helps me tie my shoes

and rubs down my bad back

were it not for her

I would be collecting dust

in a corner

there is no pride in getting old

we take what comes

a day at a time

yes I can still do manly things

only now it hurts to do them.