A Special Birthday!

What’s It Like to Be Old?

A Poem by Dale Pogue

”Grandpa, can I ask without being too bold
what it’s really like to be…..well, OLD?
I see lots of pictures that make it look great,
and though I’m thirteen I can hardly wait!

“You don’t have to work! Watch lots of TV!
Travel the world for there’s so much to see.
You don’t have to raise kids or mow your yard
‘Cause you can hire someone for everything hard.

“So, tell me Grandpa,since I’ve never been told,
What’s it really like to be ……well, OLD?”

”I really don’t mind anything that you ask,
But to tell it right will be quite a task.

“The work part is wrong. There’s still lots to do,
but how much or when is all up to you.
And raising kids with all the new trends
for grandparents today…well…it never ends.

“Seeing the world? We avoid all the traffic,
And watch it unfold on National Geographic.
As to hiring someone to vacuum or mow,
Saying “thanks” to each other is as far as we go.

“I’m restricted from climbing on the roof of our house,
And if I’m caught up there…there’s one angry spouse!
Things as simple as walking at night down the hall
Becomes a bit risky for fear of a fall.

“Prescriptions are growing, along with the price,
And a rise in income sure would be nice.
Our income is “fixed”. It stays just the same,
So we’re in a “fix” in this fixed income game.

“We don’t last as long with a child in our laps,
And the best time of day is our afternoon naps.
Our faith in the Lord means more every day
We will go to meet Him when we go away.

“It’s not as much fun, but this is my lot
To grow old outside when inside I’m not.
So, don’t fall for things you sometimes are told.
Only those there, can tell you what it’s like to be old.”

Posted by Dale November 8, 2007
Excerpt from “The Muse Is Loose,” by Dale Pogue
(A Poem for Calvin)