Growing Old

Growing old probably has

Advantages. Yes? Perhaps.

Although it makes me a little nervous

When I have a memory lapse.

We should grow wiser, shouldn't we?

Wisdom comes with age, they say.

Tomorrow then I hope to be

Much wiser than I am today.

One thing that's certain is these days

I spend more time than I did in the past

At doctor appointments and funerals.

And NOW time passes by so fast!

Though I'm able to read in English,

German, French, Italian, Spanish,

And also a little Norwegian, how much

Longer until my synapses vanish?

It's said that playing an instrument

And learning languages helps the brain.

I hope so, yet it seems that I

Forget much more than I retain!

If in October you ask me about

A book I finished in September,

I can say I read it, but that's

About all that I can remember.

But reading itself is such a pleasure

That when I read a book and then

Forget the details completely, I know

That I can always read it again.

Was it that long ago that I

Was trim and I could jog and dance?

My jogging/dancing days are over,

And now my tummy hangs over my pants.

But walking's something I can do.

I can walk for miles at a time,

Even though I'd hardly say

That currently I'm in my prime.

Every day should be an adventure,

For life's marvels are manifold.

Don't let anything stop you--not even

A little thing like growing old.

-by Bob B (3-6-20)