Young Man, Old Man Poem by Alade Abayomi Idris

When I was young
I detested being told I was young
I acted the script of adulthood that I conjured in my head
I grew beards with all herbs, and enhancers
I grew muscle all over me in the gym
I memorised some wise sayings
And when I was done, I walked about with my head held high.

Now that I am old in the real sense of being old
I detest being called an old man
I try to do away with old men's things
I dye my grey hair black
I shave all the beards I grew zestfully
I eat well, rest well to muscle up
I learn some slangs of young boys
And when I am done, I walk about with my head held high.