A Dirty Shame
Who knows what a call of nature
without diarrhea may cure?
Now that i am an older man
i’m glad to answer, if i can.
Incontinence is a bore;
that’s what nursing homes are for.
These things we do not talk about;
but older people find them out.
From the cradle to the grave
our bowels may make us a slave.
Thank god for the years in between
when we are relatively clean.
If we say, “I don’t give a shit”
doesn’t mean we don’t think about it.

Walt Abbott–3-26-2009