I Am 62 And Poem by Diana van den Berg

I am 62
and
- please note “and”
not “but”
- it is important –
as I was saying,
I am 62
and
I will race anyone
a quarter my age
- a third if old fogeys of 21 can accept the challenge –
up a flight of stairs
two at a time
- three if they are not too steep.
Of course
I will
possibly
- OK, probably –
be beaten every time,
BUT (yes, this was a “but”)
I will be close behind
- OK, fairly close behind –
and I will
finish the race
and I will
be second
and I will
be in the race,
racing
and
what is more,
I won’t
be out of breath.

(24 June 2008)