In Monster Years, I’m Old
Lauren McBride
First my claws grew brown and brittle;
then I started drooling spittle.
All my knees began to ache,
and several legs began to shake.
My stomach pooches, back hunches,
scales have wrinkled into bunches.
Lost another tooth at dinner.
(It’s growing back.) I’m growing thinner.
One eye is drooping on its stalk,
both tails keep dragging when I walk,
and now my nose has come unjointed!
Seven ears all flop, unpointed.
Still, I can hear if others shout –
just hope my sex appeal holds out.
This poem first appeared in Star*Line (issue 36.2, 2013).
