The Elders

The Insult


Two teen boys, walking to the library,
Before them walked two old men,
The boys, impatient, at their slow pace,
Hoping to anger and hasten them,
One shouted with cruel unconcern,
"Why don't you die, old men?"


Now, years later, I wonder,
Whether there might be,
Some other young boys,
Followint them and shouting,
Those same unkind words.
Then justice might be done,
But even better it would be,
If they should see these words,
And recognize their cruelty.


Elderly!!


A young man called me "elderly woman".
Excuse me, I almost said "young snip".
Elderly seems to say, crochety, decrepit, dodderer,
Call me older, (someone is always older,
Someone younger) but never elderly,
The village leaders are their elders, not their elderly,
A stateman is an elder stateman,
Never an elderly one.
So why should I be labeled so?
I refuse the title !!


Grandmother


Someone wrote a piece,
Some time ago,
Deriding modern grandmothers,
Healthy, active, vital,
Requestimg they be turmed into
Old fashioned grannies,
Soft and warm, yes, but,
Out of shape and out of style,
Health and vigor gone to flab,
To satisfy this wistful whim,
To bring a less desirable,
Way of living back into our lives.
Can he not understand
The outer image doesn't make the person,
Warmth and love need not look matronly
Nor does caring need to be unhealthy.


Retirement


We, the older children,
Having completed our work,
Now plan to take our rest,
The world looks on in envy,
Sometimes in dour concern,
"Are you sure" they say,
"You won't regret what you do?"