(on turning 70)
The time is here
This much I know
There’s no avoiding
The big seven oh
It’s a personal zen
Sort of a thing
When people become aware
Of everything
Like our kidneys and livers
And thyroids and stomachs
And that expanding beer gut
On you, you big lummox
The heart starts beating randomly
You can predict the weather with your joints
And while you sat there reading this,
Your blood pressure’s up a couple of points
You start looking backwards
From where you are
Cuz looking forwards
You don’t see far
And I’m not talking about
Your eyesight here
Although that’s also
Not so clear
There’s failing hips
And aching backs
It’s harder to read
Thanks to cataracts
But there’s more to the age
Than aches and pains
For example, there’s all
That wisdom you’ve gained
So some people now think
You must be smart
Til you open your mouth
And they know – “Old Fart”
Which means it is true
Yessiree
You now spew vile things
From both ends of your anatomy
But more to the point
You’ve sure learned plenty
Since you knew it all
When you were twenty
And the big things then
Like clothes and car
Didn’t actually get you
Very far
Instead, hard work
And lots of pluck
Combined with planning
And a bit of luck
Turned you into this thing
You are today
A seventy year old fossil
With things to say
And since I have
Your attention here
I’ll share my thoughts
Loud and clear
Yes, I am old
And stuck in my ways
But you won’t hear me complaining
About “kids these days”
Cuz it’s not at all easy
Being a modern day kid
Their paths ahead
Are harder than anything I did
The money’s disappeared
Leaving behind the ignominy
Of jobs for servants
In a service economy
And speaking of money, it once was cash
Then plastic cards reigned supreme
Now up and coming is crypto
Can you say, “Ponzi Scheme?”
For every problem, there’s a pill
Like losing weight or gaining hair
Or making that old thing
Work down there
Another big one on the list
Is very woeful
It’s what people refer to
As media, social
Yes, yes, I hear you
With it people stay in touch
But simultaneously,
They don’t see each other as much
Cuz they’re too busy tweeting
Selfies from home
Then awaiting the response
Staring at a phone
Social media
It’s sad but true
Isn’t really social
It’s just about you
OK, that’s enough of this rant
Sorry for the time I took
Gotta run now
And post it on Facebook
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