As I have aged, I have learned
that when I need advice and my wife
is not available or chooses not to
comment, I can turn to friends
and relatives who have died
for their advice is usually quite
on point and needs no interpretation.
I have not known them to mislead
or to suggest what I cannot imagine
possible, for they say and I agree
that at this point they only have
my best interests in mind, since
they have no competing interests.
An added advantage is that they
always have the time to respond
and when I choose not to follow
their advice, I never hear from them
an “I told you so” for they know
I can return them to the void
whenever I set my mind to do so.