The Blonde Viking
buckled chair envelopes his frail body
rueful blue eyes convey
brilliance trapped within
head bobs and gasps air
gnarled hand crumples over levers
warrior part, sport memory
hunched shoulders
masked height and power
broad skate strokes glided swiftly
stick pulled back passed a pounding puck
fleeting youth with friends
no worries, lean tan legs flexed
back arched, with fluid arm motion
a ball sailed as
Led Zeppelin blared
he, golden hair tousled, gulped beer
at present, medicine is poured
purple sip cup, large straw
food cut into small bites
avoid the sputtering cough
a choke has friends poised
9-1-1 speed-dialed
he yearns, remembers
days of innocent courting
lazy kisses and close dances
urgent hugs
throbbing insane love
tingling sensations
signaled a limp
falls brought acceptance
a cane, a walker
strapping son pushes
wheelchair so he can join his visitors
on the green lawn of glorious occasions
blanket covers flamingo leg muscle
spasms win the tension pull
stoic, the blond viking perseveres