
s(h)elf life
I passed my “best if used by” date
over a half a century ago
exposure to the elements
has taken quite a toll
my skin is leathery and dry
my hair is turning gray
I need bifocals for my eyes
my hearing’s fine…wait, what’d you say?
my plumbing’s gotten leaky
my pipes are filled with gas
I‘ve lost control completely
might toot toot as i walk past
expirations come, no warning
and the end, I’m sure, is near
luck will keep me ‘til the morning
may the fates grant me a few more years
believe me when I tell you
though I’m slowly losing steam
my mind still thinks I’m twenty-two
filled with hope and unspent dreams
~kat
Na/GloPoWriMo 2025 April 1: Well, I’m not sure where that came from based on the prompt. I started looking at musical terms and artist terms and paintings and ended up considering the concept of shelf lives and expiration dates and how they relate to aging in humans. I blame this detour partly on my day job which bothers itself with product lifecycles, expiration dates and the like. I suppose it’s a sad commentary on the reality of my lack of work-life balance. But I digress.
And…there goes a butterfly…will ya look at that!
Much love, peace, and unlimited, unspoiled glimmers to you!
~kat
Here’s a link to today’s Na/GloPoWriMo prompt, just in case you want to give it a try.




April 2nd, 2025 at 1:01 am
cool poem, Kat 🙂
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April 2nd, 2025 at 6:13 am
Thank you Lady Lee! ✨💚✨
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April 2nd, 2025 at 11:57 am
I was manufactured before they started using Best Before or Use By dates, so people must carefully sniff around me before approaching! Yea, lovely butterfly!
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April 2nd, 2025 at 12:44 pm
If our new government has its way those pesky notices will become a thing of the past. It will be Russian roulette, hoping that manufacturers are trustworthy…but alas we know that’s not going to be reality. 😳 I
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April 2nd, 2025 at 12:16 pm
I love this Kat and I recognise it’s truth . I am older than you. That drawing too is beautiful … Here’s a sell by date song to bring you a glimmer 💜🤞
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April 2nd, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Awesome song Willow! Thank you for sharing it with me. ✨💚✨
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April 2nd, 2025 at 12:44 pm
its a glimmer bin itself isn’t it 💜💜💜
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April 2nd, 2025 at 2:12 pm
Yes it is!!!
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April 2nd, 2025 at 2:28 pm
Lovely sketch of you Kat! When I turned 60, I was sent a card that said I was celebrating the 39th anniversary of my 21st!
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April 2nd, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Haha!!! Love that. 😃
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April 2nd, 2025 at 4:05 pm
It’s great isn’t it.
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April 3rd, 2025 at 6:16 am
Haha! Loved your humorous take on growing older.
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April 3rd, 2025 at 7:23 am
Haha! It is not for the faint of heart! 😳😂🤣😂
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April 3rd, 2025 at 8:12 am
No, but strong people/ women can take it
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April 3rd, 2025 at 8:58 am
Yes we can!!! 💪
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April 3rd, 2025 at 11:52 am
🩷🩷🥹
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