Elderly

Please do not call me “elderly.” My age may make me old And if you met me, someone “senior” Is what you’d behold. Yet “elderly” implies, to me, A person who is frail, Who’s stuck in bed or couldn’t walk, Unaided, on a trail. Since I no longer dye my hair Or wear a made-up face, The years have settled in in ways That time cannot erase. Yet I’ve a while to go before I’m “elderly. (I hope!) I’ll acquiesce to “old” or “senior;” “Elderly’s” a nope!

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Terry Flood

Date: 10/12/2023 4:09:00 PM

I’m 21 and some months… at the last count, something like 500 of them (but who’s counting?). As Jan said, ‘age is just a number’ and I would guess that however high our numbers climb, neither you nor I will ever actually feel elderly. A nice mature write, Ilene. Tel-boy

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 10/12/2023 6:26:00 AM

You seem youthful to me. I’m 62 and feel like I’m 40.

Jim Slaughter

Date: 10/11/2023 10:33:00 AM

I haven't run into any of those "epithets" yet...but I suppose it's only a matter of time. Or perhaps it's merely because most...or all...of the people I know and/or hang out with are in the same...or very similar...age bracket. Age...or so "they" say...is just a number, anyway. I'd suggest, Ilene, that like a fine wine, you will just get better with it.

Jerry Brotherton

Date: 10/10/2023 7:42:00 PM

My sons all call me old man, but I am the one they always call to help them out.

Jan Allison

Date: 10/10/2023 1:08:00 PM

Oh my goodness Ilene you are far from being 'elderly' - age is but a number and whilst we can't do anything to stop the aging process you my friend are young at heart and that is what people should focus on, that, your gorgeous smile and amazing poetry:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/10/2023 12:58:00 PM

Ok, Granny. I won't call you elderly. hahaha. Can you imagine a stranger on the street calling you granny or ancient or something like that? I guess there all kinds of terms that we would not like hearing said of us. I also do not like "old" but I actually use it a lot of the time to describe myself!!