Now I Am Old
Seems I have grown old and my belly pops out
although I'm strangely at ease
and find comfort in its wobbling.
Seems I've grown old and my body aches
in places that I never knew
and still I take pleasure in the aching.
To be this age and moan is what I fancy
and I moan a lot, to annoy my children
and my grandchildren and some.
What good is it to be old and silent,
to sit in a chair, rocking to and fro
without a gripe or a fart or both!
No, I like to let the world know I'm here,
and after all these years of staying quiet,
to argue my point and snarl a little.
Seems I've grown old and my skin has creases
where there used to be bloom and colour
and young men complimented me.
Seems only yesterday I held you close
let you suckle from my tiny breasts
that have also grown, now, that they are no use.
Men will say, 'look at the knockers on that'
as I lie on a beach bathing in the sunshine
with a newspaper over my head
and I'll cackle and laugh and swear at them,
throw my stick at them and tell them to
behave as - now - I am old.
poem by Ruth Walters
Added by Poetry Lover
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