Saturday, May 31, 2008

Let's Celebrate!




LET'S CELEBRATE!

My neck is having a birthday.
It's one hundred and twenty today.
It just dangles its wrinkles and shows off its crinkles
And wags in an elderly way.
It used to be slender and creamy,
It used to be smooth to the touch,
But a neck that's antique
Is considered a freak
And nobody cares for it much.


My knees are having a birthday,
I think they're at least ninety eight.
They let out a shriek and crackle and creak
And the bones rub together and grate!
I used to be agile and limber,
I could stand on one leg like a stork.
But now I cry 'Ouch!'
When I get off the couch
And I wince if I go for a walk.


My feet are having a birthday.
Oh dear, they're at least eighty two!
If I walk by the lake they get grumpy and ache
And demand a more comfortable shoe!
I used to wear slingbacks and peep-toes,
And high heels when high heels were the rage,
Now it's moccasin time and it does seem a crime
That my feet have reached such a great age.


My eyes are having a birthday,
I think they're about sixty three,
Sometimes there's a hint of some mist in my squint,
But I get by with what I can see.
My eyes used to sparkle and glitter
And widen with joyous surprise,
But, although they don’t blaze ,and there’s kind of a haze
Sixty three isn't bad for my eyes.


My tummy is having a birthday,
I reckon that that's fifty one,
It does sort of sag which is rather a snag,
And bikinis don’t rate in the sun.
My tummy was flat as a pancake
In the days that we call days of yore,
But babies and gravity soon wrecked that cavity.
Oh well, that's what tummies are for!


My ears are having a birthday.
They’re, luckily, just forty-three.
I can hear a loud gong and a bird’s tiny song
And the flutter of leaves on a tree.
Though young peoples’ music sounds raucous,
And a whisper may pass me unheard,
I can pick up a sigh or a moth winging by,
And my dear little grandson’s first word.


My heart is having a birthday
Today it is just twenty-one.
It really enjoys seeing gorgeous young boys
As they play in the surf and the sun.
I'd look odd if I joined in the party,
By the young I'd be looked on askance,
But I still love guitars and still gaze at the stars,
And my memory knows how to dance.


My soul is having a birthday
(My spirit, my ego, whatever)
It's still only ten, as it was way back then,
And it's going to stay that way for ever!
I still think the world is a big joke,
I still like to write silly rhymes,
I still like to giggle and make my ears wiggle.
Yes, this is the greatest of times.


So, if I may make a suggestion,
Choose the part of you still feeling young,
Then decide on its date and we'll all celebrate!
It may be your nose or your lung!
Forget all the bits that are drooping,
Forget all the parts that may ache!
Then invite everyone and we’ll all have some fun
And make pigs of ourselves with your cake!
*

12 comments:

Serendipitous Sagittarius said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Serendipitous Sagittarius said...

I love this one!

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

Just what I feel!

Kat said...

Jeeeez..... Brenda, where were you all these years?

No.. no.. I'm not going to read all your poems in one go..... Shall read them one by one slowly and cherish them. Your poems are for people like us.... I love it.

Asking the age of a lady is impolite, but I'm secretly choosing your 'heart' and 'soul' to determine your age. You're cute!

Ahoy Captain Brenda, this is sailor Newton reporting in Ship-of-Life :-)))

Anonymous said...

My agreement is total and hearty,
so pease may I come to the party?
With my creaking young knees
and a girdle to squeeze
the bits that aren't quite so arty.

I'll bring the cake.
Love,
ViV

Gemma Wiseman said...

Priceless! Each body part having its own special celebration! Hilarious!

Hope you have enjoyed your Christmas!

RJ Clarken said...

Wonderful! What a 'body' of work!

Elizabeth said...

Love your poem and am in total agreement. Have a wonderful holiday,

Elizabeth

Mehlynn said...

Is this a particular poetic form? I sort of picked up on a rhyming scheme with the lines that carried over? A nice fun read, made me smile, thanks :)
happy gooseberry day!!!

http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/the-dream-where-you-at/

Anonymous said...

hahhaha- this is cute and nice! enjoyed it! here's my entry: http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/a-roar-to-mankind/

Ann LeFlore said...

This is so nice. I love it so much and you added so much feeling into your work. Happy Gooseberry day
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/04/haggle-baggily/

Maxwell Mead Williams Robinson Barry said...

let's celebrate.

Happy Birthday to your body and soul.