The Magic Line

     I wrote this one, two years ago, and guess what? Since then I haven’t gotten any younger, or for that matter, any more tolerant, sprite, or pretty, and most certainly, no less achy. I’ve become curmudgeonly, cranky and cantankerous in these, my “senior” years. And I’m here to tell you that frankly, getting old kind of sucks, in some ways.. But in other ways, not so much. Because now, people don’t ask you, or expect you, to help them move, they don’t implore you to get up off of your ass and give them a hand with anything, they have now learned to tolerate your opinions on just about everything, and they ignore all of the noises that you now make. Moreover, you don’t get many phone calls after 7 pm.. And then of course, there are the senior citizen discounts, (though mostly at places you’ve never heard of, or that don’t have a location that’s anywhere near you, or would really ever go to anyway, and/or never went to before, you arrived at this stage in your life and if not for the discounts wouldn’t visit them at all) that 5, 10 even 15 to 20% off of all kinds of things you don’t need, don’t want, don’t like, and are most likely against your doctor’s orders, is what you now look forward to. But when did it happen? When did I become this old fart? When did I cross “The Magic Line”..?

       This is more than a poem.. It’s reality in rhyme.

    Have a wonderful weekend everyone,

Jake.

Statler and Waldorf of The Muppet Show Fame.

THE MAGIC LINE

I woke up one morning

and there, I was old,

and it came on me faster

than your common cold.

One day I was a young man,

in my life’s prime,

the next, it had seemed,

I’d crossed some magic line.

*

Now, when I look back

at the memories I hold,

I can say that I never

killed, nor have stole.

But, a few times I admit

my pride I have sold,

and that is a fact

that leaves me quite cold.

 *

Oh, I’ve had me some times

both the good and the bad,

and I’ve got the scars,

for those times that I had.

But, isn’t that just

what living’s about,

making sure there’s a mark,

when you finally check out?

*

But, before I do die

and leave this world far behind,

I still have some living

left to do, in my mind.

And though my face it be wrinkled

and it may be lined,

if you pass me on the street,

now please, treat me kind.

*

For now where you’re standing

I once, walked that ground,

 and where now I be

your time, will come ’round.

And I would not wish upon you

more regret to be bound,

so please take this advice,

and know that it’s sound.

 *

If it’s pride that you have

then you’ve done okay,

and when your life is over

and you’ve had your say,

then you’ve been a man

of great wealth and of worth.

And you left your mark then,

here on this earth.

*

Yes, you’ll wake up, one morning

and discover you’re old,

yes, it’ll come on you faster,

than your common cold.

One day, you’re a young man

alive in your prime,

and the next it will seem

you’ve too, crossed that line.

 ***

Jack Downing

                                                                              Mar. 2011

Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed written consent of the author. JRD. 9/7/13