My Lament

I found an old file where I kept quotes and humor before everything went into the computer. Going through it piece by piece I found this anonymous poem I could not resist sharing:

My Lament, “I’m Fine, I’m Fine”

There is nothing whatever the matter with me

I’m just as healthy as I can be

I have arthritis in both my knees

And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.

My pulse is week and my blood is thin

but I’m awfully well for the shape that I’m in.

Arch supports I have for my feet

Or I wouldn’t be able to walk on the street.

Sleep is denied me every night

And every morning I’m sight

My memory is failing, and my head’s in a spin

I’m practically living on aspirin.

But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

The moral is, as this tale we unfold

That for you and me who are growing old

It’s better to say, “I’m Fine,” with a grin

Than to let them know the shape we’re in.

“Old Age is Golden,” I’ve heard it said.

But sometimes I wonder as I go to bed.

My ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup.

My eyes of the table until I get up.

Ere sleep dims my eyes I say to myself

“Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?”

But I’m happy to say as I close my eyes

My friends are the same as in the days gone by.

When I was young my slippers were red.

I could kick my heels right over my head.

When I grew older my slippers were blue

But I could still dance the whole night thru.

Now I am old and my slippers are black.

I walk to the corner and puff my way back.

The reason I know my youth has been spent

My get up and go has got up and went.

But I really don’t mind when I think with a grin

Of all the places my “get up and go” has been

I get us each morning and dust off my wits.

I pick up the paper and read the obits.

If my name is missing, I know I’m not dead

So, I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed.

- Author unknown.

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The poem sounded familiar and I found an old Pete Seeger song which was an adaption.  Like so many things that come to us anonymously through the ages there are a number of versions around. Here is Pete’s (the song starts one minute in) ...