Poetry - Do Not Grow Old

By Bruno Aguirre on Unsplash

Do Not Grow Old

by Marilyn R Wilson

Despite your ever slowing pace,

Except for loss of hair,

No matter a growing spare tire

And tired need to find a chair.

Do not grow old.

Years that rocket by too fast,

Brain slowing down to turtle,

Joints creaking in tuneless protest,

Getting out a bed a hurdle

Do not grow old

Stairs feel like a mountain climb,

Unwelcome creases that multiply,

Sleep held by an illusive gremlin,

Heartbreakingly sad good-byes.

Do not grow old.

Our shell may slowly crumble,

Returning us to dust,

But our thoughts are ever ageless,

Fashioned from star dust.

Do not grow old.

Cast aside your spirit’s chains,

Spread your creative wings,

Let thoughts leap with wild abandon,

Embrace what the future brings.

Do not grow old.

Let out your joyous inner child,

Intensely curious, always yearning,

Run free, play hard, reach for the sky,

And never, ever stop learning.

Do not grow old.