when he was
younger
he fought time
with savage fury
now he
toothlessly gums it
while he feels
it’s fangs
tearing deep
into muscle

fighting
is a young man’s game
while
trying to exist
is his
only feeble play
left

drowning
as the sand piles up
to cover his face
as he pounds the side
of the hourglass
hoping someone hears
to flip it over
again

knowing
no one will
no one can