Bring Another Blanket Poem by Kim Barney

How would it be to stay young forever?
Eternal youth is just not meant to be.
Longing for such can make it so never.
Perhaps exceptions could be made for me.

I'm not asking for endless riches.
Maybe just two million or three.

Age shows on me like the rings of a tree.

Long ago, I had abs of steel.
I could toss a bale of hay
That weighed more than a hundred pounds.
The girls flocked around with many a squeal
Letting me know that they were full of zeal
Even though I was scared of them back in that day.

But if I could only have half of that energy back...
Oh, the things I would be able to do!
Yesterday will never return; that much is true.

Time marches on, but my march just slows down.
Running is no longer possible, I fear.
Ankles are sore, as are hips and knees.
Putting one foot ahead of the other
Pushes my endurance to the limit.
Even going up the stairs is all I can do.
Don't ask about jogging or climbing up trees!

I may be about at the end of my rope.
No, I'm not yet giving up hope.

Any day now may be my last.
No regrets; all that's in the past.

Only God knows when He'll call me Home.
Let it be soon, or let me just roam
Down by the riverside covered with foam.

Maybe I'll still be around a few years
And watch my great-grandchildren grow
Naughty or nice, I have no fears
Some of them will truly glow.

Bring me another blanket, Honey,
Or turn up the heat; I'm getting cold.
Don't be like me for love or money;
You just can't fathom getting old.