We asked Sandra Conant Strachan, Author of Balancing Act: Strategies for Successful Aging to contribute this poem for our website. Please feel free to comment and provide her feedback!
Long ago when I had a waist,
A little more hearing, a little more taste,
I basked in the glory of youth complete,
Never complaining about my feet,
Or noting the height of the toilet seat
Or thinking a minute about what I’d eat.
it seemed to me then that I’d never be old,
Never too hot, always too cold,
Never with gray hair or droopy jowls,
Never long earlobes or silent bowels,
Never so stiff the gym rings with my howls.
But that time has come, and I feel I should say,
That seventy three years seems like a day,
In a life that despite all its too-common ills
Is so full of love that it thoroughly fills
My soul to the brim with everyday thrills!
All this is mine even as night descends
As the days grow shorter and existence ends
It no longer matters I don’t have a waist,
A little more hearing, a little more taste,
What matters is only that I not waste
This one wild and precious life.
This is great. May I have your permission to share it with our Village members and volunteers? I am the Administrative Coordinator for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Village. Thank you!
Hi I asked Sandy and she said fine to share it and glad you enjoyed it !
Linda
Thanks so much, Pat. I LOVE to think this will reach your people—-very much appreciated! Sandy
And Sandy — my guess is that you have many years remaining to taste the thrills of life.
A fun read!
Lovely. I especially love the Mary Oliver nod at the ending!
Thanks, Edward! I’m sorry I didn’t give credit where credit was due, so especially appreciate your note. I’m happy you made the point and encourage everyone to read the incredible Oliver poem,