When I'M Eighty-Four
When I was 20, I met men a plenty
And I made a match with as many
As I could
And all the while my face split
With snotty trails of my travails
When I was 30, I quite dirty
Ran down the aisle in pure white
Trying to fight
Off the smile that threatened
To overtake my rationality
With love leaking down my cheeks
When I was 40, I a shepherd to shorty
They gathered round for my stories
Wished them more gory
I scolded them into corners
Of the room and my heart
Face contorted with discipline
When I was 50, being thrifty
Paid off for me and mine
Why I went on vacation
And they to college
And he to another's arms
My face knew not which way to go
When I was 60, I was gifted
With second motherhood
Twice removed of my duties
My face relit with joy and the
chance to spoil them
Now I am 80, I think
And from many memories I still drink
For I would much rather have
My visage cracked from wisdom and laughter
Than be dampened with rivers of regret
--------------
Title is inspired by a Beatles song. I was thinking about it and the last verse came to
mind after a discussion with a friend about regret.
Copyright © A.E. Rivenbark | Year Posted 2014
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