Does age really matter, when you’re old and grey?
I find it rather fun to choose the age I’ll be today.
Yesterday was wet and dull, but I was four again.
Out I went in rubber boots, walking in the rain.
I splashed through every puddle, it gave some folks a smile
but I was having fun again. I was four just for a while.
Today the sun is shining, I’m going to the shop.
Today I shall be seven, I might buy a lollipop.
I see the neighbours looking. ‘Eccentric’ they all say.
If this is second childhood then look out, I’m on the way.
What use comparing ailments, discussing aching joints.
I think they’re all like children when I hear them scoring points.
Tomorrow is my birthday, I think I shall be eight.
I might get up quite early, or stay in bed quite late.
I may walk on the common and if the wind is right
I might just find I’m ten again and try to fly a kite.
For age is just a number; old age is what we dread
But the only thing important is the age inside my head.
So when folks say they’re old; no longer wish to stay alive,
I smile and say you're only young – and me? I’m nearly five.
Author notes
photo 'Stamp' by Simon
http://beakerst.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Stamp/
Prompt: Lollipops & Wellington Boots
In a list
A contest entry
- Oh! Life. by islekine.
600 points, ended October 7, 2007, 12 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - I'm almost 30 by forever dreaming.
450 points, ended October 23, 2007, 3 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Real Poetry Contest by Oedhel.
525 points, ended October 20, 2007, 25 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - TEN THOUSAND POINTS OF RHYME (Now 20,000+) Part 9a Feelings by cricketjeff.
1500 points, ended January 29, 2008, 40 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Rhyme and Flow part 7 Old - 50,000 points series by cricketjeff.
4000 points, ended August 15, 2008, 36 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Rhyme And Meter by Frodofan.
600 points, ended August 15, 2008, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Rhyme, anyone? by SizzyFid.
700 points, ended June 25, 36 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Memory Lane by pineapple-eyes.
1100 points, ended August 5, 6 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 36 of 36
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This is a very wonderful write and something I shall remember!
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Entertaining look at some of the possibilities we too often OVERLOOK as aging evolves upon us! Great attitude, clearly the makings for many delightful years ahead! You even give your neighbors the option of being amused, or even motivation to buy some binoculars!
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Excellent flow and a wonderfully impact story line you've penned here. Rhyme is just smooth enough and I liked it's vigor.
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This was sheer poetic Joy!?How I loved this and know the expertence intimately.
Great write!
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Thank you for the entry in our contest. We thought it seemed familiar and we were right, but it is worth a second and even third read as it is so true, "the older you get the dafter you get", my kids say to me and I think it's wonderful, I don't have to make excuses for my actions.
Very enjoyable
Sue and Jeff
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Interesting poem. Have to agree and disagree with the sentiment. But fun.
Thanks for entering. -
This is really good passim, a wonderful work of art, beautifully formed too...I'm not so good with form poetry....I am good at rhyming though. But this poem is truly beautiful
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This is brilliant. I truly adore this poem. The flow, the word choices, the merriness of it all. It had the playful nature of a child and that works so wonderfully here. I like the association of certain activities with certain ages and the attention to detail. Really solid poem. I particularly liked:
I see the neighbours looking. ‘Eccentric’ they all say.
If this is second childhood then look out, I’m on the way.
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It is wonderful to choose what age we should be for the day as we can explore back through our childhoods or earlier years. Being old and grey makes no difference to how we feel inside. Staying young at heart is the most important thing in life. This poem is a wondefurl reminder of that.
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this is cute, it takes a lot of things that happen as a child and puts them into perspectives as being old and gray to remind us that you have "been there, done that" and sometimes it would be nice to do it agian, flying kites, and splashing in the water, and so many other things kids do, im 24 yrs young and i feel old, im glad you have such a geat outlook on life, this poem has a great flow and sticks to the theam rather nicley too, congratulations on the Golds and HMs keep up the great writing, and stay young, -Amy
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What a wonderfully positive way to look at growing older! It would be so nice to hear this stuff rather than all the aches and pains stuff! Very creative..stay youthful! Patty
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I love this. They way you jump from age to age, its liek a story book memory with a moral of yoru only as old as you feel. Very well done.
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I love this... its amazing....I think im gonna be 6 again...maybe tomarrow..lol...
i love it.. -
I loved this poem because it is so true. It does not matter how old you really are it is the age you feel like inside that counts.
I really like the imagery of the poem. I can kind of see an older person pretending to be little again.
I really liked the part about having a second childhood, because once you grow up you always wish you could go back.
I sometimes wish that we were like Peter Pan and never had to grow up.
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aw I love this!!!!!
It's exactly how I hope to be when my years have increased.
Perfect way to write about it!
I fully agree!
fabulous write!
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Loved this poem and the pic brings back so many memories! I loved playing in puddles and the rain...I still do! ha! Ha!
"What use comparing ailments,discussing aching joints." "I think they're all like children when I hear them scoring points"
Loved these lines!
I hate it when is seems like all people my age talk about are their aches and pains...it's like my back hurts/well let me tell you and my back. Someone else's pain is always more!
Also loved the line: "For age is just a number; old age is what we dread. But the only thing important is the age inside my head"
Congrats on the trophy's they are well deserved!!
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This is really stimulating
Wow, your rhyme made this truly a spectacular piece because you used it carefully for how it would honestly work, instead of just throwing it in most of the time. How long did it take you to write this lol, for a decent amount of lines to have so much pounce as this, you had to have been patient. Unless you sung it for it to come out faster.
Quite powerful in the entertainment: "Yesterday was wet and dull, but I was four again. Out I went in rubber boots, walking in the rain." So sure, you might not actually be that tiny and reversed in such age again, but you're affiliated with the things you used to do. That's the whole goal of it, we never want to feel like we're going to keep getting worse and worse. Though sometimes, if diet isn't held etc, things can happen. You're bringing that out in a fun, inviting way for literal children as well to read.
Last two verses of the first stanza were very touching for me. Especially for those who possibly didn't have a moderate kid life, they get to almost finish it again. That's just another thought past/deeper into looks and the energy!
"Tomorrow is my birthday, I think I shall be eight.
I might get up quite early, or stay in bed quite late." -- lol, you tossed me here. Kind of cute how you're guessing what you'll be the next day, so you're also not sure of schedule.
I felt secure in the finishing two lines of this poem, that is a soothing relief for when high numbers hit. Also like the way you told others they're youngsters again with proof from yourself that you're serious in a way. Must I hope that you do well in the contest that didn't close yet, yes I may at least wonder if the judge will like it like I did.
Good day for your future penning,
Circles -
Age is just a number
And I think I know a few
You don't need to stick to one
So try out one or two
Who the hell is counting
Our lives should be our own
So stuff them in their own backsides
If they start to gripe and moan!
Fan-bloody-tasting
Perhaps I should do a contest for tmesis poetry.
You are daft as a brush and twice as much fun. Your poetry is a joy to read, always
Thanks a lot for entering and we look forward to being captivated by your entries in round 10.
Jeff and Sue
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Enjoyable
It's great the way you managed to touch on so many subjects in one little poem. Opinions of other, self evaluation, self worth, the meaning of life and more. You've taken an original approach to the "age is just a number" theory and built an amusement park around it. Thank you, I enjoyed my ride.
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Great write
PoeticButterfly
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Excellent Writing
Enchanting, delightful. fun.
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Job well done.
This poem has made quite an impact after reading it. I just keep reading it over and over. Great form, great rythm, great poem. Well Done.
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Firstly, thank you for entering my contest and secondly congrats on the trophies you have already won for what really is an excellent piece of poetry. I love the uniqueness of this piece. It combines humour with some of the more serious points of old age yet it made me smile and laugh from start to finish. I love this poem. Thank you so much for entering it into my birthday contest and good luck. xx
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congratulations on your previously won trophies they definitely are well deserved your poem is great in all aspects of a poem
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Results...
Originality: 4/4 It’s original all right.
Rhythm: 4/4 I found it has its own flow.
Wording: 4/4 Great wording.
Ease of Reading: 4/4 Read very well.
Final Score: 16/16 Great write. I enjoyed it greatly.
For a more extensive critique contact me after the close of the contest.
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Congratulations on Gold
This is a timely poem. What a great attitude. I loved reading your poem.
You have been Winkled.
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Congratulations on your trophy! I'm glad this poem was chosen.
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This is awesome! Definitely deserving of a gold trophy, congrats. You're only how old you think you are
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I lobe this. You are only as long as you feel or act. Personally, I am on my tenth, childhood. At least I think so, I stopped counting after the first two. You have been winkled.
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I am honoured indeed dear Winklers. You have made a five year old very happy
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This poem should be published
in elementary school poetry anthologies and Seniors' magazines. Now, see to that. You have friendly rhymed couplets written in good humor and the two stanzas go so well together. Well doneI would say! Fly your kite!
Ron. 
Oh, you have been Winkled!
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Oops, I forgot to say:
You have been Winkled!!!
Zai
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Marvelous poem! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's so joyful and positive and it was totally worth the read. Life is beautiful when we allow ourselves to enjoy it and putting age aside is one way in which we can do that. Well done.
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Brilliant! Love it. One of the only poems I've actually found myself reading over and over again, just in case I've missed anything.
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Sweet
One of my favorites is A.A. Milne, and your verses have somewhat of his whimsy. "Now we are six" and we don't have to be anything else. The poem also reminds me of the determination to ignore onlookers found in "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple" by Jenny Joseph.
I like the whole poem, but I love "the only thing important is the age inside my head." The meter is very nice, and I always like couplets. Best of luck!
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lol, this is adorable. I love it
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