I'm old

I’m old.

I’m a father, a husband,

a brother, a son,

a disciple, a scholar,

poor poet, (for fun!)

I have reason to say

I’m a reason to pray

but only that I’ll

make it through the next day!

An old dude with attitude,

a sinner and saint,

perfected and polished

are two things I ain’t.

I’m neighbourly Ned

and I’m fat Homer J

who just can’t get a grip

upon seizing the day.

As far as it goes

I can still reach my toes

but as near as they are

my old back says “too far!”

and I’m slow up the stairs

but I’m quick to the loo

and I’m good at blank stares

while I ask myself “who?”

So if you see me standing

alone in the street

or up on the landing

with immobilised feet

don’t bother asking

if I’m coming or going

my brain’s multi-tasking

has long since stopped knowing

where I was just aiming

or which way is wrong

or who I was blaming

or why take so long

to come to conclusions

or get on my way, 

it’s old man confusion –

what more can I say!

20/7/24