You really seem young, I've often been told
As if nothing were worse than being old.
I smile and I thank them, but I want to say
So what's wrong with being old today?
Old means that I've been here a while.
Old means I've logged more than a mile.
Old means I'm still in the race.
Old means I've kept up with the pace.
Old means I still survive, living and laughing.
I'm still alive.
Old means when the going gets rough
They'll find me still standing
Because I am quite tough.
Old means I've been around
Know how to keep my feet on the ground.
Old means that I've learned to accept
Sad losses over which I've wept.
Old means I've released control
And am more concerned with affairs of the soul.
Old means I now realize
How hard it is to really be wise.
But most of all old knows
What the young don't know
That where I am
They too will go.
Jean Roetter
12/3/04