When I reached fifty I thought what I'd do
Before I joined the pension queue.
No concessions -- live life to the full
Enjoy what I've got -- all that bull'.
Now sixty's approaching I'm not over-the-hill.
I've plenty of ambitions left to fill.
I just pray that I'll find
More years ahead than I have behind.
Author notes
The competition asked for under 50 words but I'm older than that!
I used 57 -- one for each birthday I've had 
A contest entry
- Contest for over age of 50 by misticmoonlite.
675 points, ended March 22, 19 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 20 of 20
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You have such an innate feel for rhythm and rhyme, and this poem was a delight to read indeed.
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To have ambitions is what keeps one going, isn't it Jim? I am 52 and somehow something different is happening to me. Your attitude inspires. I know a person here who got married at the age of 50 after remainig a bachelor till then and went on to have eight children and live past the age of 90. I have always marvelled his spirit. Nice poem from you (as always).
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Ambitions are all very well but I will not try to compete with your friend and his 8 kids. Not something I would wish to emulate
Thanks for reading and writing, especially that final bit.
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sorry about the dear not paying attention
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so worth the bronze dear
You have got the gift for ryhme. so much free verse here. I am one who loves the rhyme. wish I could find aword for orenge. Yorkshire? this is where my dear mum was from. I was born here in USA california thanks I am glad I came clicking past. I love the rhyme also I am adding you as afavorite so I can see some more. Ian
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Ah well, at least "dear" is better than "ducks" which is also used as a colloquial greeting over here.
Thank you for stopping by to read my stuff and for doing me the honour of adding me as a favourite.
A lot of people rhyme orange with borange but that's not a word I would use. For me orange is a perfect rhyme for lozenge using everyday speech here in Yorkshire.
TTFN
Jim
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Well done Jim Worthy of its award
Congratulations -
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Thank you kind Sir
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We all do
I am well past fifty and heading for seventy. So do not expect to just be half through. I do have time to write a real fine last chapter though. Great job Jim.
Jim
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I'll settle for being half way "old" friend, and hopefully that will give me time for a couple of volumes rather than chapters I always was greedy
Jim
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Its a good job i did not use my birthdays and write to suit I would have been well and truly given the a good clip round the lug-hole and been sent on my way
I used 48 so you can have a couple of mine if they help/ Excellent poem I always say a poem decides how long it will be and the poet has to go with it
Any shorter and yours would not have had the impact on the reader that it has.
Great piece Good luck in the contest
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Thanks for reading and writing.
I agree, a good poem tells you what to write. Too much tinkering either adding or subtracting rarely helps.
Jim
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Wonderful! the tongue in cheekiness shows through, and as one approaching 50 [still a few years off], it was actually inspiring!
Write On!
jIM -
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From madman Jim to SadmanJim
I had actually just written this
When you look at your face remember it's only a case
That's used to conceal the youth that you feel.
What lies without maybe old beyond doubt.
But you're still young within so wear a big grin.
in response to a poem by a friend lamenting his age (and appearance) when I spotted this competition (through another friend's new poem). I was therefore in the right frame of mind for a new piece and remember, ones outlook is only a matter of getting the right frame of mind.
Jim
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A lovely sharing ~
and always nice to find a poem by you! This one finished up with a great ending! j y
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I couldn't resist adding my two penn'orth when I saw a friends entry into this competition. Having retired I am now working harder (most of the time) than when I was employed and am opening a lot of new doors.
Jim
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great,57 full of rhyme and humor, love the effort you put in this and the inspirations of being given
more time ahead, I believe ,as I share in your thoughts, thank you for this entry...good luck
MM
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Thanks for not giving me the order of the boot straight away. It was under 50 and then, just before submission, I thought up that ending and could not leave it all off.
Your competition has sparked some good poems from a lot of other writers. Thanks for the motivation.
Jim
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So Jim, you would like to live to be 114 plus!
That would then make you an 'Old Poet', in fact a very old one, I know a place where you would fit in very well though. Good for you! Von
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I want to beat Bilbo's eleventy one years old if only to see what a mess we make of the place before then. According to one scientist I read the temperature will increase by a degree or two each year so the seas will be boiling by then!!
Jim
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