Inspirational Poems

My Children think I'm getting old
No older than I've always been
There's just the same amount of time
Between us now as way back when.

Now babies take a nap or two
It's 'cause they're weak and young;
And school children yawn and sleep,
They need to get unstrung.

And others, like the dog and cat,
Sleep often, I am told
But when I need an early nap,
They think I'm getting old.

I read a letter the other day
That came from cousin Bill;
The line were sloped and shaky;
But then, Bill had been ill.

An when I couldn't read the note
My grandson sent to me,
It's cause he hadn't mastered yet
His skills in writing free.

But somehow when my fingers shake
In writing notes, they're sold --
It's all because Mom has to be
Simply getting old.

I've often watched the birds fly south
To warmer lands so free
An easier life for them to live
Seemed good advice to me.

But when I wanted to go south
To avoid the bitter cold,
I do declare, they knew for sure
That I was getting old.

I've rubbed their backs since they were born
(Their aches and pains seemed lesser then)
An sometimes rocked their cares away
and sang a lullaby or hymn;
But I cant sit in the rocker now
Nor ask for them my hand to hold
Unless I want to hear say,
"Yes Mom! We know you're growing old."

Now when my children were in school
They sometimes had forgetful ways;
The things they couldn't do on time,
I'd never seen in my born days!

Forgot their books, for got to eat,
Paid their money bills too late,
Forgot most everything there is
Except, of course, when they had a date.

Imagine, then, to my surprise
When I forgot the dinner roll;
From these same children did I learn
Forgetting means one is getting old.

The younger fold have got a thing
Where frosty hair makes one look young;
They put goop and gob upon the stands
Just to sprinkle gray among.

While I am working on a plan
To hide my gray among the gold
So my children will not think
It's all because I'm getting old.

Now if getting old, then, catches on
I'll just make it all do;
Though I think out of all of this
I've learned a thing or two.

There may be many a thing, you see
I can blame on age and then
I think I'll let my children see
How old their Mom is then.

I will take a nap, do the things I want
As each day unfolds;
And hope my children will insist
It's all because I'm getting old.

©Bertha Jean Brown