Judah Life

I realize I've reached the time
When it's very plain to see
That I now must be selective
In what my preferences will be.
No longer can I toss a coin
To see which direction I should go.
As far as speed in getting there,
Only one would fit, and that is SLOW.
It's wise to have a goal each day,
There is no doubt about it.
A reason to rise each morning.
No one should be without it.
Still, if I decide to dilly-dally
Throughout the passing day,
A bit of procrastination
Is bound to come my way.
I can read with great delight
Great books that I've forgotten,
And if I chose, I now can read
The ones that were verboten.
I do not waste my energy
On things that can't be changed.
If I spent time on past mistakes,
I soon would be deranged.
Life has much to offer
To each and everyone.
I hope to conquer many things
Before my time is done.
When I've fulfilled my challenges,
And hopefully passed each test,
Then I will wave a fond good goodbye,
Content I've done my best.

Arthritis makes my fingers swell.
My bathroom visits really smell.
When I find it hard to sleep,
I remember math, to count my sheep.

My legs aren't working like they did,
Like when I was just a kid.
It takes time to climb the stairs,
To change my dirty underwears.

And in the cellar, it's not clear,
"Why did I just venture here?"
Retrace my steps and I will find,
I still don't know... so back I climb.

Friends now treat me differently.
They'll talk to me like I am three.
And kinfolk give a hug and say,
"Baby, do you feel okay?"

In diapers I am now attired.
I'll never know when they're required.
So, best I wear them all the time,
They'll save me from my inner grime!

And just in case that some don't know,
You wear them underneath your clothes.
I tried it once the other way!
The laughter, I still hear today!

Grocery shopping is a treat,
If I can just stay on my feet.
Just get it done! Get home fast,
And hope my tired legs will last!

I get back home and rest my legs,
But I forgot to buy some eggs!
"To hell with it! I'll do without!
I'm not about to go back out!"

Sometimes a pain I've never had,
The kind that's there, but not that bad.
It could be serious, I suspect,
So, to the doctor! Get it checked!

He'll poke and prod in all my holes.
He'll close examine warts and moles.
He'll press my gut when I'm undressed.
He'll listen to my heart and chest!

When that's done, he's bound to find,
Some "specialists" he has in mind.
He'll send me "here," he'll send me "there,"
He'll send me everywhere, I swear!

They'll take some blood and take some pee,
They'll analyze the lot and see,
"There's nothing wrong, now you can go."
I start to feel... they just don't know.

I get back home from my ordeal,
And now it's hunger that I feel.
What do I want? What is my treat?
It should be something soft to eat.

So, after checking my caboodle,
I pick a tin of chicken noodle.
Some soda crackers on the side,
My dinner now has been supplied.

(Hey! Don't forget to turn the stove off!)

Now full from all that soup fillet,
I check the mail that came today.
I'm scared when I see any bill!
So scared, I have to take a pill!

Gee! My old age check was sent!
"Wow! I'll make the mortgage rent!"
Now I have been thrown a bone,
So I can keep my cherished home.

I try to sleep while counting sheep,
But other thoughts begin to creep.
"Am I too old to be alone?
I want keep this home I own!"

Kinfolk have their resolution!
A nursing home is their solution!
"They'll care and feed you every day!
They'll have a room where you can stay!"

I know they love me, there's no doubt,
But my problems, they can do without.
A burden, I don't want to be,
Can't they see what "home" means to me?

I can't give up this house of mine!
I'm by myself, that suits me fine!
And when I'm left alone that day,
I'll think of what they had to say.

But I want to live my life my way!
I don't want another home to stay!
And if no other resolution,
I will find my own solution...

His shoulders are a little slumped now and his back a little bent.
But to me he looks like he was heaven sent.

His blue eyes may have glasses to see
and he may have to get up a lot at night to pee,
but for me he was heaven sent.

His dentures are clean and white, and his smile is so bright.
I feel lucky every night to kiss him and wish him a goodnight.
Yes, for me he was heaven sent and I am quite content.

Back in the day, when my body was fit,
I ate what I liked and gained not a bit.
After a while, the pounds slowly grew,
But I lost them fast; it was easy to do.
I didn't worry, I didn't care.
I didn't need diets back in the day.

Back in the day, my summers were great.
Nothing to fear in the park.
The thing that I feared was Mom's warning to me.
"You better be home before dark."

Back in the day, my eyesight was good.
I never wore glasses; I saw like I should.
Now print seems so tiny and signs are unclear.
My vision is hopeless unless things are near.
I'm sorry to add that my memory is poor; it's starting to scare me - no lie!
I go into a room for a reason I'm sure; then I am wondering why.

Back in the day, I felt safe and secure.
No shooters to scare us in school.
Now it is frightening; there's no place to hide. 
And the problem is going to spread wide. 

Back in the day, I had strength to spare.
No pains in my body, no aches anywhere.
I never rested from day until night.
Now I need naps to help me feel right.
My walking is slow, and my back is in pain. 
It's hard to look cool when you walk with a cane.

I can't believe I'm not young anymore.
I am feeling the passage of time.
So I looked for an answer for what I should do,
And here is the answer that's mine.

If you want to stay young and keep up with the times,
Try new things you might like to do.   
No need to hurry. Who cares if you're slow?
Just keep your mind open and the ideas will flow.

Now when I think of "back in the day,"   
I don't want to go back anymore.
I keep myself busy doing things that I like,
And I'm finding my happiness grow.