Bowling Never Gets Old Poem by Jim Yerman

I once played high school football…I even wrestled on their mat
but I was never a first class athlete…and I am comfortable with that.

My exploits in both fields will never be well known
but when it came to sports in general…I like to think I held my own.

Which is why when Deborah suggested we go bowling…
when she initially planted the seed
I thought, I'm coordinated enough at 66, and enthusiastically agreed.

And despite the fact we hadn't been bowling since 1989
I thought, given my confidence and physical ability, I was going to shine.

I know I'm not as strong as I used to be, but after tying up my shoes
most balls were much too heavy…so I chose one the children use.

"Isn't that ball a little light? " Deborah asked, (what was that a psyche?)
I ignored her veiled rebuke and concentrated on my strike.

My feet were planted, I lined it up and was mystified and appalled
when my first roll of my first frame became a gutter ball.

My confidence was quickly waning
I wondered: Is this what the bowling Gods have wrought?
"I think you want to knock the pins down? " Deborah smirked
as I lined up my second shot.

It seemed my brain and arms were at odds with one another
they weren't working together at all
and when I rolled my second shot…
another gutter ball.

I improved and was eventually satisfied with my result…
although I found it hard to gauge.
Is it golf or is it bowling where it's good to score your age?

No matter…I got a little better as each game did unfold
and here is what I learned the more and more we bowled:

I may not be the greatest athlete…no crowds…no adulation
but I still can have a lot of fun…once I accept my limitations.

And when Deborah asked, "Will we be back? " I said, "Of course we would.
We may never be great bowlers…but we make these shoes look good! "