Old Fogies: Part Ii
But a strange change happens
at early nightfall
in those stuffy rooms and halls
and it suddenly becomes clear
all was not as it seemed
old folks transformed
so cunning and keen
sparkling iridescent
playful, plucky, pleasant
flagrantly libertine!
Like children slowly scampering
out of bed to play
they saunter, skip and stumble out
every one in their own way
finally rested up
personalities awake
each still in their own heyday
in those magical overnight hours
when time stands still
and they become themselves
in varied and magnificent array
Thankfully, their favorite nurse
knows this and accommodates
their craziness with
shockingly inappropriate story-time
reading aloud scandalous books
full of sensuous stuff
enjoying the looks
of giddy gladness
and childlike delight
that someone is sharing these
forbidden secrets
with them in the night
The fuddy-duddy nurses only
give them a sour glance
shaking heads from a distance
wondering what is so special
about a reading group that it draws
half the building every night?
She's doing something right...
And then...
the off-the-wall nightly antics begin
with Jonesy and his buddy Mac
cavorting with the twins
(the things they do in late-night trysts
both shocking and outrageous-
too numerous to list)
And often setting off smoke alarms
a stubborn girl, old Harriet
in the toilet, stealthily smoking
her contraband cigarettes
she's ninety-one and feels she's done
so she tokes with no regrets
Prankster Ralph roams 'round the wing
his boyhood-self restored
with puckish grin on grizzled face
he keeps from getting bored
misplacing everyone's needed things
(such as crutches, charts, and Peg's key ring)
and poker-faced, denies everything...
“Polly's still a pistol!”
her husband, Walt, saucily confides
he gleams and gloats
as other men stare
at his still-vivacious bride
eighty-four year old, a teasing temptress
his life, his joy, his pride
Nola and Louie are in cahoots
we know 'cause they take turns
in pulling off heists
of cookies and snacks
food being their main concern
And 'though their liveliness
is enchanting- there can be
“too much of a good thing”-
for on full moons, dear “Crazy Maisie”
entertains the entire wing
by singing, dancing down the halls
while taking off EVERYTHING!
But as morning comes...
they gradually wilt away
tired and tepid
no longer intrepid
old fogies again
youth hidden within
just resting and waiting
for the next night's play!
Copyright © Rhona Mcferran | Year Posted 2018
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