Love As We Age
it’s love
not Hollywood
the cordial intimate breakfast table conversation
the peck on the cheek
the quick hug
(which sometimes occurs, sometimes doesn’t).
love as we age
turns from an entrepreneur state
all buying, selling, new things
to a welfare state
just trying to preserve
the state of civilization
which is marriage
so attacked by the illness, allergies
the slumps in energy,
the thrice told stories
the little annoyances
which are tolerated
like the smell of burned bacon
the effect less on the nose with time
love as we age
is the real, naked thing
all the irregularities, blemishes showing
but who gives a damn?
the toast is there
the butter is there
nobody impresses anybody
doesn’t matter
affection has gotten past style
(Feature photo by Larry Luxner)
Dan Cuddy (1944-2025) served for many years as an editor of the Loch Raven Review. Prior to that, Dan was a contributing editor with the Maryland Poetry Review, and with Lite: Baltimore’s Literary Newspaper. Dan was published in many small magazines over the years, e.g. NEBO, Antioch Review, Connecticut River Review and online at Praxilla, The Potomac, and L‘Allure des Mots. His book of poems “Handprint On The Window” was published by Three Conditions Press.