Ilene Bauer Poet Rhyme

Just You Wait

Those of us who’ve reached the age
Of “senior” status know
That many things are different from
The days of long ago.

Yet we remember how it felt
To be a child or teen
Or young adult or middle-aged
And all the years between.

For looking back is easy; we had
Energy to spare,
Youthful bodies, unlined faces 
And a head of healthy hair.

Those of younger age, however,
Cannot ever comprehend
That they’ll lose the version of themselves
On which they now depend.

They are rooted in denial,
Thinking they won’t ever be
Someone looking in a mirror
And not liking what they see.

So the “wisdom” of the old, then,
Is you can’t avoid your fate.
Aging’s guaranteed to happen;
Don’t believe it? Just you wait!

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Hannah Borke September 18, 2026 at 1:23 PM Elderly is still more pleasant than babyhood. Babies are caged prisoners, with the day-to- day not different from adults in prison. I clearly recall crib days and the endless boredom.

Gershon Wolf August 26, 2026 at 9:05 PM Lovely punch line there, Ilene. And yet, I hope that at least one of my kids will still be going strong at 95, running 1/2 marathons or whatever. I can dream, can't I?

Jan Terry August 25, 2026 at 2:49 PM You speak the truth humorously. Another delightful poem on life as it unfolds. When I was young, I was very aware of one day becoming old. Like my hero, Peter Pan, I swore I would never go there. I selected 38 as my end age bc, at the time, I was 10 and thought that age to be ancient. When I hit 30, I realized 38 wasn't so old after all. I still am adverse to adding another year each birthday and am ready when my number is up. My body tells me so!