A Ripe Old Age Poem by Melvina Germain

As a child my curiosity was a fascination.
My teens found the gift of self gratification.

In my twenties, I was a blossoming flower.
My thirties wrote many elegant hours.

At forty, I began to line and fade,
sitting quietly in the shade.

The fifties came and I tried to turn back the clock.
When sixty arrived, I was dismissed from the flock.

Seventy took me by surprise, why I was certain
I was wearing a disguise.

At eighty, I wondered who I was, my memory
seemed to have lost its way.

At ninety I reached the final curtain, stubborn,
obnoxious and certain. When the shadow of
death hovered over me, I waved my crippled
finger. You’ve brought me this far to watch me

fall. I dare say, you took it all. I lived a life
wreck less, true, now the rest is up to you.

Written by: Melvina Germain
Date: July 9/2010