Past the Prime, Wasting Time

Larry woke up in the same bed every day.
Larry woke up in the same room every day.
Larry woke up in the same house every day.
Larry woke up in the same city every day.
Larry woke up in the same day every day.

Facing this day was more of a struggle every day.

He would pour the same coffee into the same mug.
He would open the same mailbox and pick out the same letters.
He would read the same compliments and criticisms.
He would feel the same sinking feeling.

Larry's first book was still at the top of the bestsellers.
Larry's first success was still at the top of the bestsellers.
Larry's first sequel was still in the typewriter, unwritten.
Larry's first failure was still in the typewriter, unwritten.

He would sit down to the same typewriter.
He would sit down to the same blank page.
He would sit down to the same empty mind.
He would sit down to the same fear.

"How will you begin to compare?" Larry asked his silent sequel.
"Am I wasting your time and mine?" Larry continued.
"Are we both past our prime?"