Poetry by Kelly Beller

Gift

Once the thermostat was set at 60.
I visited a younger friend, who used 52.
cooler was more important than warmer.
Somewhen, my preference changed without telling me.
I must have 68 to be comfortable.
I couldn't sit and schmooze at 52.

I have no memory of that startling veer,
Just the clear realization that
what once was, is no longer.
And a propensity for warmer
manifest in hats, sweaters, and scarves, my newfound toys
another of aging's mysterious gifts.

Kelly Beller
1/04