Jeffrey Zable

The Understandiong

Before I was this, I was that, and it seems to me that I got a lot
more attention when I was that, maybe because I still had curly hair,
some serious muscles, and could concoct a pretty intimidating
expression when I needed to, which said, “Don’t even think
of messing with me!”

Now I’m nowhere near to that, and I’ve discovered that I like people
a lot more— can often listen to them for up to a minute without feeling
bored and disengaged— sometimes a bit longer if it’s on a subject
in which I’m interested.

I believe that growing old involves the acquisition of a bit of wisdom,
the main problem being that, in a world like this, it’s usually unappreciated,
which some of you will understand, but most of you won’t.

 

The Best Part

Have you noticed how many television commercials
center around family—family who are inviting you
to be a part of their family if you’ll just use their product,
whatever it is. It could be a carpet cleaner, a salad dressing,
or even a deodorizer. It really doesn’t matter. . . but what
does matter is that if you purchase the product you’ll
have a lifetime invitation to any of their backyard
barbecues, and should you live a fair distance away
you’ll always be welcome to stay in their guestroom.
And the best part of all is that whatever the product is,
it doesn’t cost that much. . .

 

Jeffrey Zable is a teacher, conga drummer/percussionist who plays for dance classes 
and rumbas around the San Francisco Bay Area, and a writer of poetry, flash-fiction,
and non-fiction. He's published five chapbooks and his writing has appeared in hundreds
of literary magazines and anthologies, more recently in Uppagus, Ellie, Dark Winter,
Ivo, New English Review, The Raven's Perch, Rundelania, Moss Piglet and many others.
His selected poetry, When I'm Dead and Feeling Blue is now available from Amazon
or directly from Androgyne Books.