Shrinking

I “talk” to people on the web

From countries far away,

A few I’ve been to, others that

I’d hoped to see one day.

By telephone or FaceTime

I connect with those I know,

Some frequently enough I’m up

On all their ebb and flow.

Despite all that, the world that I

Inhabit has begun

To shrink a little more each day;

My travel days are done.

The prison I’ve created,

Though much better than a cell,

Is the confines of my home,

The rooms of which I know so well.

My neighborhood provides me

With some peaceful walking streets

And a bench besides the river

Gives me afternoon retreats.

Once a week I’m granted freedom;

To the suburbs we do drive,

Spending time with kids and grandkids

To remind me I’m alive.

Other people are expanding

In the things they choose to do

But I’m stuck without the tools I need

To help me break on through.