Too old?

FredPeyer

When is a man considered old

Is it when he was so told

That he should retire

Because there is no more fire

That he should take it easy now

Should reduce the work somehow

Start to enjoy his life

Go travel with the wife

 

To be told all this and more

Scares me to the core

They do not know the real me

Because the outside is all they see

They don’t know what I feel

What is false, what is real

How good it feels to be alive

With a fulfilled and active life

 

The path they want me to take

Feels to me like a big mistake

I want to keep on using my brain

Not held back by any chain

The outside may look old and used

The skin mottled and bruised

But inside is a different man

Straining to be whatever he can

 

Working, thinking, all of that

Fits just nicely under the hat

Why should I just wait to die

When the only limit is the sky

There is no age to any mind

No obstacle of any kind

That could not be overcome by me

So please, just let me be

  • Author: Alfred Peyer (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: June 24th, 2017 11:51
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 34
  • User favorite of this poem: P.H.Rose.
Get a free collection of Classic Poetry ↓

Receive the ebook in seconds 50 poems from 50 different authors


Comments8

  • Michael Edwards

    Just how I feel - still feel young and I have so much to do and look forward to - time doesn't come into it. Thanks for posting.

  • Louis Gibbs

    Well spoken on behalf of us "men of a certain age"! Personally, I consider chronological age irrelevant. Fine poem, Fred.

  • FredPeyer

    Thanks Robert! I love Einstein, did not hear the one about the socks yet. I wrote this poem after I was asked once again when I would retire. I am 69, own my own business (one man show), love to work and don't see any reason to stop.
    And Michael, you are right. Inside we are much younger than outside. And since my wife keeps telling me that I will never grow up, I must be around 7 or so.

  • FredPeyer

    Thanks Louis, you are right, age is only a number, at least up to a certain point. I want to do something physical. My mind says: No problem. My body says: Are you kidding?

  • P.H.Rose

    Fred I absolutely love
    This poem...brilliant!!
    I'm making it another
    One of my favourites
    Every word you write
    Is spot on......

    • FredPeyer

      Thanks so much P.H.!

    • onepauly

      let it be, let it be,
      whisper words of wisdom,
      let it be.

      • FredPeyer

        ...and the Beatles are some of my favorites too!

      • Renzi

        Anyone below you can't offend you and noone you are equal to would! That good awl saying 'you are only as old as you feel' It's true. Never stop living your life , it's there for you to grab and hold and love and embrace! As long as you are happy.. the world is yours. Much love.

        • FredPeyer

          I won't and I will! Thank you.

        • burning-embers

          Oh so right! You've hit that squarely on the nose. Some clown decided i'm pensionable this year. Good job i run my own business too or i would have had to adjust their nose in a different manner. Lots of life left inside us old coots so long as our health luck holds out.

          • FredPeyer

            I am so happy for you burning-embers!
            Tell you the truth. I am scared of "retiring". So many people I knew died not long after they retired. Seriously.
            Thanks for your comment!



          To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.