here's an idea, collect stamps, she says

i'm in line

at the therapist office,

awaiting my turn in the waiting

room

with other old patients.

some stroking their

grey beards,

others scrolling their phones,

or staring

at AARP magazines.

all of us

have the same question.

what now

brown cow?

retired and

in a constant state

of boredom.

the day full of empty hours.

and the therapist, calmly,

to each one of us

says the same

thing.

maybe get a part-time job,

take up

arts and crafts,

or try whittling,

whittling can be quite

satisfying.

or perhaps

indulge yourself in hobbies,

collect stamps.

take a cooking class at

the community center.

what about Tai Chi?

maybe travel a little more,

volunteer.

she smiles and pats us on the back

as we go out the door,

more depressed

than we were 50 minutes

before.