When you were young.

Learning all about Life.

When you were young, were you ever told, life would be grand when you got old?
Do you think they got it right?
Did they mention the potions and the pills that ward off all of the various ills?
That creep up in the night.
Did you believe your joints would creak? A cough would leave you feeling weak,
The price of growing old.
My Dad would say in his wise old way “Son, you’ll suffer from “screws” one day,
But I guess you won’t be told”
He did the same things when he was a boy, all the adventures out there to enjoy
The wet feet and the water.
Rank canal water high up your legs, how else can you gather moorhens eggs?
Screws will grant no quarter.
On through your youth, knowing no fears, trying to emulate all of your peers
Going downhill with class.
Listen to reason, what is the point? You’re determined to sample a beer and a joint,
Were you really such an a*s?
Parents imply it’s the wrong way to go, they’re only adults, what would they know
They wouldn’t understand.
Now I look back, and as I recall, I was a pig-headed prat and a right know-it-all
I didn’t need a hand,
Onward and upward until you’re full grown, wife and a mortgage, kids of your own
You start to see the light,
Those that loved you from when you were born, parents you often treated with scorn,
You now realise, were right.
Life wasn’t meant to be an easy path, but try to fight all of its trials with a laugh,
You’ll always be a winner,
With kids of your own to break your heart, instil in their minds from the very start.
Be a saint and not a sinner
If you can look back when you’re old and grey, and with hand on heart, truthfully say,
I think I’ve done it right.
Then despite the aches and memory losses if you can produce more ticks than crosses
You’ll be “Alright on the night”
I’d like to think my time on earth, after God’s Review, shows I’ve proved my worth,
I’ll be content to toddle off.
Life is a process, as with wine and cheeses, the more it matures the better it pleases
I can hear the youngsters scoff!
So, from this journey, what have I learned, well, nothing is free, it has to be earned,
It makes for a happy life.
There is one important point I’ll stress; my journey would be filled with emptiness
Without my friend, my wife

Rod Broomham.  ©

Author's Note

Many of us have Been there, Done that and Bought the T-shirt.

Reviews

[lightsong]

Nothing better than laughing through tough times, this is Your way, and this what I always admired about Your pen, how You deal with the trials with Your sense of humor, truths are laid in Your poem, lessons of life, I know You wouldn't change a thing of Your youth, if You can't go wild and free at that time then when?
The best line is Your final one of course :)

So glad now You are here, the world does need more smiles, please let me know if You needed anything.

I wish You a great creative weekend,
Littlesong*

[ScaredSilent]

Wow this is beautiful. It made me think about my own age and how eventually I too will reflect about time.

[kitty]

Yes my dear friend and as you relate the different stages I was with you all the way. I am sure other readers will relate. Exceedingly good at how you have presented/written this piece. Well done and welcome!