Whittling Down

As we age, we whittle down

The things that we can do

Or the ways that we can do them

So we last the whole day through.

I’ve whittled down my exercise

And how much I can drink.

My energy’s been whittled 

And my brain’s begun to shrink.

I’ve whittled my acquaintances,

Though some were not my fault

And my memory’s been whittled 

Or locked in a keyless vault.

I’ve whittled down my travels

And my need to shop and buy.

Some hobbies have been whittled,

Which I loved; I don’t know why.

My knife is sharper than my mind

So I won’t be belittling

The ways it goes about its job,

As time goes by, of whittling.