I shake my head. It's hard to conceive,
I'm truly not certain I can really believe.
It's been fifty years since the halls echoed loudly
Of the fellows I remember so dearly and proudly.
A lifetime of dreams have been lost and achieved.
We've given our best. Some gave all. Some received.
But, it's time for a show down. A test, if you will.
Who looks good, even though we're way over the hill.
Conspicuously, some are quite absent, and it seems
That the ones in attendance have used lotions and creams
To make them look spiffy and handsome and fine.
It's really not easy when you're pushing sixty-nine.
But, once we were younger. Yes, then we had it all.
T'was before we found out, with each high comes a fall.
And, here we sit proudly, as if nothing went wrong.
We're all smiling and laughing, and we sing all the songs.
We're a child of the sixties. We know how to endure.
We've been through the wars, we've known heartache, it's sure.
We have conquered our demons and slowed down the winds.
We've won and we've lost. Now our journey nears its end.
But wait! Only fifty? Imagine it, friend!
It's possible, at sixty we could be here again!
We'll be dancing and laughing and having some fun.
That is, if our legs are still moving, not numb.
And, if we can remember a time table to keep
So we all can get naps and our meds, then to sleep.
Oh! Won't it be fun to see each one again
With our hearing aids, walkers and electric canes?
So, if we've missed fifty, I wish no regret.
I hope we'll find sixty, and even more yet.
And, meanwhile let's laugh and enjoy each new day.
Cause I can't wait to see you when sixty comes our way.
Shirley Johnson Schmuck
Shirley Johnson Schmuck
