a deep forgiving sleep

i don't want

to lose

my marbles, get dementia,

or whatever

else is out

there that fogs the brain,

and leaves

me being spoon-fed

oatmeal at the hand of

a stranger.

so i do Wordle, and crossword

puzzles.

mathematical equations.

i read and write.

i paint.

i sit back and on my fingers

and toes,

i count all the girlfriends

and wives

i've ever had.

a few that i still know.

but the counting makes me

drowsy,

makes me sad,

i begin to doze off

and lose count,

falling into a deep

forgiving sleep.