On The Attempted Life Within The Body

For the young, wanking
existed to take the wanting out of waiting.
Substitutes for real sex took away the intensity
of impatience for the fullness of companionship
which our parents said they had
through the sharing of property.

The young were part of the property of the parents,
fit to be divided by what they wanted being with-held.

But what to do in middle age when alone?
When you are no longer a catch for anyone?
And whatever people want you for,
they want less of you than they did before.

Does this leave us united in present times,
somewhat late in life? Or divided by our pasts?
Whatever happens, the future means shrinkage...