Untitled

He said, "Old folks ain't worth nothing."
He said, "I'm thirty! and if you're over thirty you ain't nothing."
I said, "That's a lie! I'm seventy-one and young at heart."

He hadn't seen me sunning alone around the bend
While by the elevator, he stood waiting with his friends.

And I saw that his Counselor was my age
And I thought of my nine-to-five days
And volunteering in snow, sleet, wind, rain, and brine
And the sidewalk manhole in Brooklyn I climbed
And the emotional horse I fell off
And some folks may have had a good laugh
And the skylight I looked up to
And hands that healed and renewed.

And I say... my age is none of my business
I'm seventy-one, and life and me is not yet done.

*
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Fowler Avatar
March 3, 2023 at 6:36 PM
Insightful Iris. Age is nothing and "...none of my business..." Your last verse sums it up. A fav for me. :)
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace