Routine

We chatted about

Rheumatoid arthritis, bunions,

Bone density, and uric acid build-up

We discussed our pill organizers,

Statins, and blood thinners

We did this daily, on our morning walk

Two neighbors for forty-plus years

With our canes, knee braces, and

Orthopedic sneakers

Meeting out front on Maple Lane

At seven a.m. sharp

Amongst it all

Not to complain or kvetch, as you used

To say

But to remind ourselves

Of past pain triumphed

To remember that in a world

Filled with fight

To age at all

Was to age gracefully

Mathieu Cailler is the author of seven books: a novel, two short story collections, two volumes of poetry, and two children’s titles. His stories, poems, and essays have been featured in over one hundred publications such as Wigleaf, the Saturday Evening Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Cailler has garnered numerous awards for his writing, including a Pushcart Prize; a Readers’ Favorite Award; and accolades from the Paris, Los Angeles, and New England Book Festivals. Connect with him on social media @writesfromla or visit mathieucailler.com.