Orange tabby eating on pantry rug
won’t always be here. Neither will I—
boxed up when my heart stops,
kidneys fail, hip breaks. I give up on
notions of myself as young, quit wearing
long skirts that tangle up legs.

Cold sun rises, promises rare warmth.
I check floors for uneven rugs,
take my pills, burn Christmas cards,
holiday wishes and glitter glow,
disappear in smoke.

Jan Chronister (Maple) currently serves as president of Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. She has released four chapbooks and two full-length poetry collections, the most recent being Decennia from Truth Serum Press. Read more at janchronisterpoetry.wordpress.com.