'Where are you going, my Dearheart?' "I'm on the retirement boat.
Why don't you jump on board with me? We can both go off for a float"
We can sail on the world's greatest oceans. Vast countries and continents see.
We'll do what we like til we want to come home. Oh, PLEASE will you do it with me?"
'Of course I'll come with you, my Dearheart. We'll roam til there's no more to see.'
"What a wonderful time we'll be having when you are retired with me."
'This boat seems to have a slight wobble. The engine's developed a squeak.
My vertigo's gone into overdrive and my chest needs a bit of a tweak.'
"The boat's gone off course, my Beloved, on an ocean so far and so wide
But you'll be ok with your Dearheart always here, right by your side.'
'I thought we'd see exotic places and spend days lying out in the sun.
I wasn't expecting to see A&E, but oh, A&E, here I come!'
"Don't worry, I'm right here beside you. You're going to be fine, so they say.
Your life span's not yet to be shortened, not even by one single day."
'But what if they're wrong, my Dearheart? Then what are we going to do?'
"We'll sit and we'll plan it together, and, meanwhile, I'll look after you!"
'But what if you want to go travelling and see all the sights we have missed?'
"Don't worry, Beloved, it's no problem. I'll sit here and get quietly pissed!"
'Now that just won't do, my Dearheart. You need to get out and about.
I can manage some time here without you. If I need some help I will just shout!
This boat that we're drifting around on has stopped in a different place.
Not the one that I thought we would land at. This one goes at a different pace.
I've noticed the sunshine seems brighter and the songs of the birds are a joy.
The colours and hues of the flowers are as bright as our grandson's best toy.
The sound of the wind in the bushes, the smell of the strawberries ripe
The twinkle of stars in the moonlight - the urge of a poem to type!
They are things we'd have missed, my Dearheart, if we'd taken the scenic tour.
How much nicer to find such pleasures right here by our own back door.
But YOU may need to test out the water - a dip in the retirement sea.
Please go, if you need, for a wander and please don't fret about me.
I'm tough as old boots in the middle. I'll survive what life throws out at me.
You can visit me here in the harbour, but please sail that retirement sea!'
Written last night following yesterday's visit to the consultant. For my own 'Dearheart' who would hate to be called by that name!
IPF? Shielding?
All change.
Woke up 2am
My day out
