Gone are the days that seep deeply into the night, turning again to day. Watching through a diner window as the dusk blackens to a twinkling sky until I glance up again from the glow of my laptop into the dawn on the horizon with little more than a weak yawn, still with enough energy for the entire day ahead of me. Those productive nights and wee-hour’d mornings are no more. Now, I trudge through foggy brain and heavy eyes, heaving sighs. Am I done yet? No. Possible sleep dwindles to but a nap, a blink in the ever-turning world.

What I wouldn’t give for a sliver of my old energy. A slice of that pie. And the friends who would keep me company.

Man, getting older sucks.