Light up that cig
toss back a shot
swallow the pill
[ worst of the lot ]
tennis till dawn
softball in rain
startin' to think
[ you don't have a brain ]
everyone does it
really you say
I know you're wrong
[ the piper you’ll pay ]
time to grow up
sensible / smart
you'll live much longer
[ I love that part ]

Poor guy, I hope he lives much much longer.
ReplyDeleteThe photo, I place him in an eastern European atmosphere.
I also like the form with the first-person commentary after each verse.
He needs a drinking friend?
..
Indeed he does ….
Delete"softball in rain" really appeals to the imagination - a clever rhyme scheme Helen
ReplyDeleteLovely poem, good rhyming, adequate picture!
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteThe title is perfect and it made me think of a huge board we read at a Wyoming Rest Place about 'Mama Sage'—7th image: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2022/08/from-jenny-lake-lodge-wyoming-to-hyatt.html
The LAST verse is the best!
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh the things people do! I love the living longer part too Helen! This is wise and a whole lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteHelen, I like the rhythm in this and the bracketed thoughts at the end of the stanzas. Your voice is strong and clear in this.
ReplyDeleteEat right, exercise regularly, die anyway! :-P
ReplyDeleteThis would-be old sage really appreciates the advice!
ReplyDeleteLove the way this echoes that sort-of smile on his face. Go ahead, see what happens. :)
ReplyDeleteI could barely get beyond his 'smirk.' LOL Which caused the fluff of poetry.
Deletehi there helen, so good to read you again. very sage advise indeed, i'll start working on that... tomorrow. =) enjoyed this very much helen!
ReplyDeleteWith all those hobbies, and no discipline, it will do him more harm than good
ReplyDeleteLuv the use of rhyme in your poem Helen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by to read mine
Much💖love
Helen Ma'am, classic picture portrayal of the elderly lost in their own thoughts and undoing giving excuses to cover up their idiosyncrasies - great observation! Thank you so much for coming in to Hank's blog and apologies for not responding to a number of them. Will faithfully follow you forthwith. Best wishes Ma'am, have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteHank
Made me ask the question, what is better, a long life absent frivolity and joyful excess, or a shorter life lived fuller? I have never been personally able to effectively consider the quandary, having no experience with the initial option. Liked this Helen… 🙂✌🏼❤️
ReplyDeleteOh if we could just learn from those who have crossed so many bridges and gone so many directions.
ReplyDeleteLove the jaunty nature of this poem! The effortless rhyme buoyed it along :-)
ReplyDeleteHard to learn from sages when young. Good one, Helen!
ReplyDelete