Abelson

Leukemia Virus

ABL gene

BCR-ABL

CML

Targeted treatment

Many people

Made a big difference

 

 

What a Waste

 

One cup of coffee in the morning.

The sweetener comes in a packet.

I don’t use a spoon.

This isn’t an existential exercise.

 

Living the life of

one tiny cosmic element,

I rarely protest and never too much.

 

Personally gentle no, though

it is a virtue, going gently not,

a generation’s best minds cried out

for clarity, equality, generosity.

 

Our responses were often muted,

more of a whimper,

almost a groveling.

How can it be that

beauty belies truth, but

truth can be twisted,

manipulated into hate,

hate into intolerance,

intolerance into action,

action into death?

 

Only the dead don’t remember war.

Over their graves zealots proclaim

righteousness, clarity of vision—

salvation.

 

Do we have to grow old to understand

the folly?

 

 

 

Ahead Full

 

It pisses me off when people get

personal about can do or not.

Yes, I’ve lost flexibility,

strength, probably mental ability.

So have other old farts—maybe

worse!

 

Who am I kidding; I can’t compete with the

young lions—some yesterday,

not today.

 

I still have my hair.

People remark about it—you gotta full head of

     hair.

The lady who cuts it tells me, good hair except for

     two cow-licks.

I haven’t gained too much weight.

People say, you look great.

     You’re in shape;

     you don’t look your age.

 

Is it just making conversation?

Are young guys that much more virile?

Could I have low T?

Those ads are stupid.

Fuck it, I really don’t care.

I’m just trying to understand almost anything.

 

The events of life and living are so random.

That Siberian town almost hit by a

meteor–could have wiped out the people.

Just like the dinosaurs,

next my 401K.

Maybe this sheds light

on why you dare to eat a peach—

living, loving, striving, caring

beg the pardon of concession

demanding stand up and do better,

It’s hard; it takes time and

gumption.

 

To hell with aches and pains and

forgetting where I left my keys.

These could be my best years.

I’ll know at the end.

 

 

 

 

Aging—the big SNAFU

 

  

 

I.

 

Eyes have lens curved that react,

but age makes them stiff so they can’t refract

light accurately meaning we can’t see clear,

so blurred vision results both far and near.

 

For older coots the near problem means cheaters,

arms too short and we do need strong readers.

Presbyopia, old man plus eye from Greek,

so common in fact you don’t look like a geek.

 

The little half-moons on the tip of your nose,

just like your friends with a pair like those,

but some have readers in wild colors and stripes,

requiring real confidence to wear them alright.

 

II.

 

Let’s turn to our ears, speak up I can’t hear,

just turn up the volume, and now I hear clear.

When I know who is speaking with words I do doubt,

I turn down the volume and just blot them out.

 

Some ears you have noticed elongate with time,

growing hair in profusion, stop pointing at mine.

 

III.

 

Next check our noses, with more blasted hair,

that should be transported to pates for good wear.

Our noses make noises like snorting and snoring,

Which drive spouses crazy and loosen our moorings.

 

If it’s really sleep apnea, you better take time,

find  helpful treatment for your heart and your mind.

 

IV.

 

Keep your brain healthy with puzzles and games,

you’ll stay vibrant longer, even garner acclaim.

When thinking gets muddled, decisions are hard,

if it’s dementia, sorry to tell ‘ya, it’s the end of the bard.

 

Our brain so mysterious closed in a hard shell,

with workings so special, they seem magical.

 

 

V.

 

 

Our gut is the seat of so much we love,

we should be more careful what we add from above.

Consuming more calories and drinking our fill,

leads to bad outcomes by making us ill.

 

So use some restraint as you tip, nip and dine,

to try to ensure you’ll survive a long time.

 

 

VI.

 

Those nether parts for men and women folk

are more than we can handle here, you get it okeydok.

 

 

VII.

 

Skin a big canvas, moles, lesions, wrinkles all,

we may need a careful look over, a derm doctor is the call.

Some nicks and knacks need biopsy, maybe even Mohs,

just get it over sooner and not be in the throes,

 

of whether it’s a tumor, most of which are benign,

melanoma the exception, you don’t wan

 

 

VIII.

 

 

Next to our joints, be cool, not the smoking brand,

arthritis a crippler, pay attention to your hands.

When hips and knees get cranky, nasty pain predominates,

replacements can be a godsend, when the pain is great, don’t wait.

 

 

There is so much that can go wrong, it boggles the mind, so let’s be strong.

A sensible diet, watching our weight, can short circuit or head off what could be our fate.

 

 

 

En Route

 

 

Self-induced misery,

in our time-starved world of terrorist

threats,

security lines,

license checks,

computers out,

coats and shoes off,

step into the machine or get a pat down……

Are we safe?

Are we safer?

How do we know?

We were safe until it happened.

It is hard to be confident of negatives—it hasn’t

happened again, yet, so…..

 

Given that we were whelped and suckled on

TV fantasy,

weaned by cynical and mindless advertisers to

biggest losers and endless violence,

it’s not surprising that we are easy marks for

body scanners,

3 oz max,

1 quart bags…

 

So baby pack right,

You got to travel light or,

the costs escalate,

and you’ll surely hate—

baggage fees,

bruised knees,

race for overhead space,

wall-to-wall crowds,

every seat taken,

people who sit in their seat and yours,

arm-rest showdowns,

seats that recline,

fast-food grease,

pesky toilet seats,

ridiculously-priced food,

kids with kids as parents,

non-stop talkers,

bare feet in flip flops,

toe clippers,

people who smell—

AIRLINES straight from Hell.

 

 

 

Are Humans Special?

 

maybe in some things

but surely not most

let’s review the contenders

before we can boast

 

our thumbs are a focus

to grip and to grab

for fine little movements

essential to have

 

brains bigger by far

and very complex

give us thinking and talking

ahead of the rest

 

so let us examine

our limbs and our senses

to get more perspective

if not a consensus

 

eyes are the lenses

to see and be seen

but hawks, flies and geckos

see ever more keen

 

bats are unique

they see with radar

no eyes for the skies

but they can see far

 

our hearing is good

but not close to great

owls and dolphins

make our hearing third rate

 

our noses are sensitive

to a great many smells

but sharks, dogs, and bears

smell really swell

 

as to strength we are varied

but strong we are not

gorillas and tigers

only some of the lot

 

who are so much stronger

than any human can be

bears, snakes and rhinos,

just another three

 

so who is the fastest

whatever the kind

cheetahs, falcons and swordfish

will leave us behind

 

but wonder of wonders

are birds in the air

they seem to have freedom

without any care

 

we don’t need to worry

we’re not really the best

there are so many wonders

among all the rest

 

in the animal kingdom

so vast and so broad

we humans are privileged

but always feel awed

 

at the breath of creation

much to know and to see

it’s a joy to be living

I know you’ll agree.

 

for we are the caretakers

of this vast, grand array

we best remain humble

and give wildlife their day

 

yes humans are special

we know wrong from right

protecting all species

helps us see the light

 

for the animal kingdom

of which we’re a big part

we must be out in front

with very big hearts