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At the Age of Eighty

How we spend our time says so much Working, playing, musing … as such I tend to spend mine yearning to touch, While avoiding the bane of unwanted clutch. Each day I make some elaborate plans About how to spend my twenty-four spans From dawn to dusk my mind will advance, Sometimes I even make room for romance. Other times I simply while-away the day Indulging in the most frivolous foray, Letting my inner child with abandon play, And fending off anxiety that comes my way. When you’ve arrived at the age of eighty, There’s no longer any reason to feel guilty, Or try to be pretty, and certainly not dainty, You just restrain yourself from being flirty! written January 25, 2022

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 1/28/2022 11:12:00 AM

"Indulging in the most frivolous foray, Letting my inner child with abandon play, And fending off anxiety that comes my way." - this is perfect! Keep doing it!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/28/2022 11:25:00 AM

Well, it seems to be working, because, in spite of my infirmities at eighty, I feel happy and healthy!

Charles Messina

Date: 1/26/2022 5:37:00 AM

Hey Milt, with that good-looking face of yours, I'm sure you get tons of woman flirting with you :) A very inspiring poem!

Charles Messina
Date: 1/26/2022 9:48:00 PM

So very sorry about Deb. She must have been wonderful.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/26/2022 11:33:00 AM

Ah, I wish! No, not really. I'm very happy with my life right now. Thanks for the compliment, though. Funny, within weeks of Deb's dying, I had women flocking to me with all sorts of ploys. Of course, I ignored them, so they have crept back into the shadows for now. You simply cannot replace the best!

Terry Flood

Date: 1/26/2022 4:22:00 AM

Carry on flirting, Milt… a slapped face never killed anyone… it doesn’t half hurt though. ;-) Terry the ‘red-cheeked terror’ (that’s an attempt at irony by the the way).

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/26/2022 2:00:00 PM

Hmmm...I don't ever call saying anything that merited a slap, but these days you have to be extremely careful...the "me, too" movement, you know. We men are put at such a disadvantage these days, I'm afraid.

David Kavanagh

Date: 1/25/2022 12:48:00 PM

Just because your 80 Milton doesn’t mean you should stop living, there’s people half your age not as active, I see Jan is on the lookout for grey haired men, so poor Tom’s out of the picture, see things are still looking up, great poem by the way, cheers David

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/25/2022 1:18:00 PM

Thanks, David, but I think she already has one...and she lives way too far away. I can't hand distant relationship! LOL

Joseph May

Date: 1/25/2022 12:38:00 PM

No age limits for flirting, Very nicely penned Milton..

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/25/2022 1:19:00 PM

Thanks, Joseph, but these days you can't be too careful or they'll charge you with "assault and hopefully!"

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/25/2022 12:35:00 PM

Keeping yourself occupied is key, never take your eye off the ball for a minute. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/25/2022 1:21:00 PM

Good advice, Tom. I do try to stay busy, and I make lots of doctor's appointments. If they make one for me six months hence, I'm so happy because I know I'll have to be alive to make that appointment! (chuckling) My optometrist even schedules me a year in advance. I'm so happy!

Jan Allison

Date: 1/25/2022 12:30:00 PM

Hope I am still active and writing poem if I make the age of 80, and I've no issue with a bit of flirty ... I adore men with greying hair do you know any lol:-) hugs Jan xx

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/25/2022 1:22:00 PM

See what I wrote to David. Unfortunately, I'm just too old to make the move, Jan. But, if I were younger........