Old Age Comes On Fairy Feet.
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64362)
United Kingdom
September 24, 2015 3:09pm CST
Old age comes on fairy feet
Tiptoes round you while you sleep,
When you wake, what? more grey hair!
How the heck did that get there?
Painful limbs and hearing gone
What else is there to go wrong?
Wrinkled skin and aching eyes,
That danged mirror must tell lies.
Yes, it seems that youth has fled,
Teeth by bed, not in your head,
What you eat goes on your hips
And your body sags and dips.
But it's not all doom and gloom
Though you've lost your youthful bloom,
By that fireside don't be curled,
Just take off and see the world.
Now that you've no boss to please
You can relax and take your ease.
Don't knock on that pearly gate
Tell St Peter he can wait.
Don't let old age get you beat,
Just have some fun, life's still sweet,
Sing and dance though you are old.
And enjoy your years of gold.
What's your attitude to ageing? Are you making the most of it, or do you intend to in the future?
Original poetry by Jabo.
Painful limbs and hearing gone
What else is there to go wrong?
Wrinkled skin and aching eyes,
That danged mirror must tell lies.
Yes, it seems that youth has fled,
Teeth by bed, not in your head,
What you eat goes on your hips
And your body sags and dips.
But it's not all doom and gloom
Though you've lost your youthful bloom,
By that fireside don't be curled,
Just take off and see the world.
Now that you've no boss to please
You can relax and take your ease.
Don't knock on that pearly gate
Tell St Peter he can wait.
Don't let old age get you beat,
Just have some fun, life's still sweet,
Sing and dance though you are old.
And enjoy your years of gold.
What's your attitude to ageing? Are you making the most of it, or do you intend to in the future?
Original poetry by Jabo.55 people like this
53 responses
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
24 Sep 15
I would not consider myself old although one of the Doctors I work with called me old today cheeky little sod. He only looks 14 years old! I think you are as old as you feel. Somedays I feel like I am 20 years old and other days more like 90! (You must know I am half that). LOL
You should keep active in your twilight years which will keep your mind and body in good stead!
Enjoy Janet you are an inspiration to others!
9 people like this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
24 Sep 15
@garymarsh6 I don't think I will ever get used to people calling me old, as I never think of myself that way. But I will poke fun at me being in my dotage.
Anyway you're a good few years behind me, and that young doctor deserves a slap!
Yes, I truly believe that keeping active helps to keep the years at bay - no knitting by the fireside for me
Anyway you're a good few years behind me, and that young doctor deserves a slap!
Yes, I truly believe that keeping active helps to keep the years at bay - no knitting by the fireside for me4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
24 Sep 15
Very nice poem. You do have quite a talent. Oh I am so ready for retirement. Even though I don't work, I have to wait for my husband to retire, which is in about 10-12 years. Until then we are saving and planning for that time.
Oh I am so ready for retirement. Even though I don't work, I have to wait for my husband to retire, which is in about 10-12 years. Until then we are saving and planning for that time.4 people like this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
24 Sep 15
@TexanTornado You do right to save while you can, that way you can have a comfortable retirement.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
24 Sep 15
@jaboUK That is exactly what we are hoping for. 
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
24 Sep 15
i agree with @garymarsh6 'n yer poetic whimsy is such a true delight! i'd great plans fer my elder years 'n aint given up 'n such yet. stayin' active is most key. i know when my grands retired, they jest sat 'round, not doin' much'f nothin'. saddened my heart some. they should'a gotten out more 'n enjoyed all that life's to bring.
i don't fret wrinkles, gray hairs 'n saggin' body parts :)
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
24 Sep 15
@crazyhorseladycx Yes I think it's sad when older people just sit round doing nothing. If you have hobbies and interests it keeps you from stagnating.
I don't fret those things you mentioned either, but I know a lot of people do.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
25 Sep 15
@crazyhorseladycx That was a good idea, it gave him something to do, and helped the calves.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
24 Sep 15
@jaboUK papaw had his gardenin', but 'twas all. so, in winter months he jest sat in his chair. :( i'd keep bottle-baby calves 'round jest to keep him movin' coz he did love tendin' those babes.
2 people like this
@maggs224 (2320)
• Alicante, Spain
24 Sep 15
@jabo As always Janet I loved the poem, and you caught it just right, even though you and I have a ways to go before we can really talk about growing old first hand.
I will let you know when I get there if I made the most of it if you tell me after you get there, it is still some way off because as of yet you and I are still in our prime lol...
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157494)
• United States
25 Sep 15
We have plans for our older age. I would also like to be able to curl up by the fire, if it is snowy, but you are just as likely to see us out going somewhere.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
25 Sep 15
@GardenGerty Curling up by the fire can be lovely, but we need to do other things as well.
@allknowing (130067)
• India
25 Sep 15
Great poem there. I too believe in living. And I wrote a poem for my husband when he was about to retire way back.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130067)
• India
25 Sep 15
@jaboUK Its already there
Inspired after reading @Jabo 's poem on old age I felt like uploading this poem I wrote way back when my husband was about to retire Retirement Bliss Not...
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
25 Sep 15
I'm still in my 30's but this has got to be one of the best, most optimistic poem about aging I've ever read! I don't think I'd worry too much about aging. I'd rather focus on the present and cherish the moments while I can.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
25 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 That's the way to live - cherishing each moment as it comes. And there's no point worrying about getting old - there's all sorts of things to do to keep happy in your senior years.
1 person likes this
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
24 Sep 15
Love the poem, Janet! I'm not giving in to old age. I'm still trying new things.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
24 Sep 15
@Sheilamarie78 That's the way to do it - new things keep you fresh and alert. I'm pleased you liked the poem Sheila, I wasn't sure how poems would do on this site.
@wetnosedogs (1533)
• United States
24 Sep 15
Being of the old age is great. Love your poem.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
24 Sep 15
@wetnosedogs I know I'm lucky in that I have my health, but it's great for me.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215189)
• Chile
11 Oct 15
I love your poem. I try to do the best I can with my ol´ bones. 
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215189)
• Chile
11 Oct 15
@jaboUK I confess that I don´t have much patience with people who are always feeling sorry for themselves
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
11 Oct 15
@marguicha From what I've read you do make the most of your life, even though I know that your health is not good.
1 person likes this
that surely hit home.
butt I'm not done rompin just yet so I'll tend it in the future, when I'm 80 maybe.
way to go, I doubt I'll stop either. You better keep posting for photos for folks like me who don't get the chance to see those awesome places you get to go to. I vacation vicariously you know @jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
25 Sep 15
@rebelann You are welcome to travel with me vicariously. We don't have dogs and cats any more so that we are able to go wherever we want without worrying about them. For instance, apart from our little jaunt next week, we're going to Spain for a month in November, and again for another month in March. Couldn't do that if we had animals, though I really love them.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 Nov 15
I love being free of working but I have to admit the sagging skin gets me down a bit. The gray hair I can live with lol.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
2 Nov 15
@jaboUK lol sometimes I just stare at my arms and say I want my nice smooth skin back but alas, it is not to be!!
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 15
@BelleStarr I agree about the sagging skin - no more sleeveless dresses for me
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
27 Sep 15
@simone10 Yes @GreatMartin is a great advocate for ageing. He's managing it very well, and shown us how it can be done.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
27 Sep 15
@jaboUK It is a struggle sometimes because those dark thoughts can creep in when I'm not feeling good. But for the most part, I try to have a positive attitude which is something that I have learned from @GreatMartin
1 person likes this
@SHARINGPARTHA (172)
• New Delhi, India
25 Sep 15
Excellent poem! Enjoying it. As a middle-aged man, preparing for the old age. Your poem would definitely help me in this preparation.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
25 Sep 15
@SHARINGPARTHA Thank you. Yes, old age isn't so bad, there's still a lot of enjoyment to be found.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
26 Sep 15
@SHARINGPARTHA Shakespeare got it wrong when he said SANS EVERYTHING!
1 person likes this
@SHARINGPARTHA (172)
• New Delhi, India
26 Sep 15
Your poem is a source of Inspiration to welcome the Old Age.It seems to be interesting phase of life...sans teeth,sans taste and SANS ALL PAIN.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38616)
• Midland, Michigan
10 Oct 15
When you said the part about seeing the world instead of curling up by the fire, I thought you were going to say at least you're not alone if a partner is aging with you. Maybe one day we'll be able to see the world. At least we were able to go to Hawaii several years ago before my husband lost his leg. It could be a bit difficult for him now to do much sightseeing, but I suppose if needed we could rent a motorized wheelchair of some type.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64362)
• United Kingdom
10 Oct 15
@MarshaMusselman My husband needs a wheelchair if we're going any distance, but I just push it. (Can be hard work at times) Those motoriized wheelchairs are expensive to hire.
) Those motoriized wheelchairs are expensive to hire.1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38616)
• Midland, Michigan
13 Oct 15
@jaboUK Hadn't thought about the cost and it isn't a need right now anyway as he can still walk and work. I know I won't be able to push his wheelchair though, I'm older than he and now that I lost weight last year considerably lighter. Pushing it inside is one thing, but on uneven terrain, I doubt it will happen.
1 person likes this
