Weekly Scribblings Poem -- Charmed Life Still?

"Sixteen years ago, one of my 

literary heroes took his life in . . . 

Hunter S. Thompson -- leg broken, 

ill, and depressed -- left a note.

'This won't hurt,' he wrote." 

Michael Lindenberger, see excerpt below

“Dying is easy, young man; 

     living is harder”  

   (Hamilton quote # 1 below )

Living is harder 

I can attest to that 

Getting old is hard

Getting out of bed in the morning 

That takes first getting your balance 

After you sit up on the edge of the bed 

Got to watch the first step 

It may not go straight ahead 

Or you could bump into the wall 

The wall won't move so you gotta 

Steer around that corner with care 

You body may still want to go straight 

First hold onto the door jam a bit 

And when you've aimed your body 

That's when you head for the pot 

Or commode or Loo or WC or John 

What you call it, 

  what-cha-ma-call-it 

Young ones always 

come up with best 

Making your own breakfast 

Will take your cake, use sense 

(you might be the lucky one 

and have this done for you)

Now where did I put

my favorite skillet last night 

Still on the stove 

Why did I not wash it

when I was finished . . .

That was just the beginning 

of my day, it drags on 

and on 

Living when one is old 

can be so bad 

Lonely, slightly ill or/and crippled  

eyes and ears not working well 

lonely, lonesome right now 

seemingly working all the time at home 

just to stay alive 

(at least until my money source runs to dry to 

pay the bills) 

[click photo for larger viewing, 

click again for "+" viewing] 

photo of partial Houston Chronicle, 

February 20, 2021, page A13 

Author Note:

I didn't know that "Gonzo had died, 16 years ago.  I have read some of his work, his book, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," was my favorite.  Perhaps I'll read it again soon in memory.   

The article stated that his note included Thompson "that he was 17 years past age 50, which is all he'd expected."  I myself tell folk that I  am ready to die as I've done everything I need to do and most of the things that I've wanted to do. 

I'd like for you, especially if you like me, identify with him in age and feelings, to be able to read the whole article.  I'll try to work that out for you.   Mrs. Jim says we shared driving methods and habits.

Some of my readers, you who put up with me and humor me to an extent and who live in the Houston area can read the article at your local library.

 _ _ _ _ 

 - Poem and Photo Copyright, Jimmiehov 2021, All Rights Reserved 

 - I am linked with Rommy at Weekly Scribblings #59, https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2021/03/weekly-scribblings-59-wait-for-it.html?m=1

 - Rommy asked us to create new poetry or prose inspired by one (or all) of the following Hamilton quotes:

1. “I’m looking for a mind at work.” 

2. “History has its eyes on you.” 

3. “Talk less. Smile more.” 

4. “Dying is easy, young man. Living is harder.” 

5. “Love doesn’t discriminate between the sinners and the saints.”