OLD SCHOOL IS 80
OLD SCHOOL IS 80
He calls me “new school” with a playful squint,
I call him “old school” out of my instinct.
Sometimes, you'd say, “Back in my days…”
And then you outwit us all in your own classic ways.4
Today you hit eighty, that’s eight decades you hold.
But somehow you wear “old” like a jacket that’s gold.
Old 80 looks fresh, like it just left agedness in a spin,
Age tried to catch up, but it just couldn’t win.8
Your appearance laughs at the years,
Your worries are hushed, no apprehension or tears.
Your stories are long and somehow grow longer,
But your handshake still feels ten decades stronger.¹²
Eighty today? That number is a bit confused.
It thought it was aging you — clearly misused.
Because strength like yours doesn’t wrinkle or fade,
It’s built on hard work and the prayers you’ve laid.¹6
Your jokes still booms like a well-tuned drum,
Your wisdom remains new like jolly-just-come.
You sit me down for a chat that will last
From choices today to stories from the past.²°
If aging were racing, you’d still take first place,
With grace in your stride graciously elongating your days.
So here’s to the man who makes eighty look neat,
Who turned every trial into stepping-stone feet.²4
God bless you, Dad — strong, witty, and cool,
Forever loved, we celebrate the King of Old School.??²6
VICK MANUEL POETRY{VMP}
Thursday 19th February 2026.
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