Alas, They Look So Young!

"Why is it that everyone seems younger to me these days?", I muse.
'Tis enough to give a feller a serious bout of the blues!
Wasn't that long ago that everyone looked so old to me.
My! How times have changed!  I wonder how that can be?

When I was a young lad struggling to get through school,
Schoolmarms looked so old and dour (as a general rule).
Nowadays, they seem so young, chic and so engaging!
(Alas, could this be because it is me who's aging?)

The other day I saw my doctor for my annual screen.
To my alarm he looked to be about the age of seventeen!
His credentials I viewed, so I guess he knew what he was doing.
(Is my jaundiced view due to all these years I'm accruing?)

I recall white-maned preachers I knew as a wayward youth.
My preacher is so young he should be in Sunday School, forsooth!
But I admit that he stirs my lethargic soul with masterful skill.
(Lord! Forgive my acerbic views - is it because I'm over the hill?)

Even the admirals, generals and presidents look so young today.
I reckon there ain't no use in fretting about it anyway.
'Tis some consolation that they'll all lose their youth so dear.
(Oh! How I yearn for the carefree, feckless days of yesteryear!)

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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La France Avatar
January 20, 2010 at 12:54 PM
no one can escape old age.. unless they go to heaven early... its all part of the journey. . there is nothing to me, more interesting than to talk to an older person about life, to see the world of yesterdays thru their words is magic to me.. even this poem is a glimpse into another time.. your writing is always awesome to me..
Thekidster Avatar
January 20, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Hello Robert. What can I say? Your work continues to blow me away. Yet another great written piece. Best Wishes Always, Bill
Slaughter Avatar
January 20, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Great read! Very comically done on aging, made me laugh because it is so very true!
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