Our Poetic Asides challenge was “Forget What They Say.” My kind of prompt, Robert! Click on the link to see what others came up with. As for me…
AGING DISGRACEFULLY!
Old age ain’t for sissies, said Bette Davis
and she was doggone right
Boobs hanging so low I have to
set ’em in rollers at night
and shoved into “woman-friendly” bras daily
The way they swing wouldn’t make Frank
sing “ring-a-ding-ding”
Took up yoga to get flexible
advice courtesy of my physician
(not “Physical,” thanks anyway, Olivia)
Noticed that, in the Down Dog position
my skin of my thighs draped off my legs
like a curtain valance, but at least
I kept my balance.
That is, until the Salutes to the Sun,
when I grandly and loudly fell on my face,
laughing so hard I snorted at my own contortions.
This got other 50+ women chortling and
soon we were all flat on our mats doing
what older girls do best: Sharing a laugh
about ourselves, on our own behalf.
We finished class and Betsy blurted:
“A latte! Who’s with me?”
Soon around a table filled with decadent desserts
(which we dutifully split, counting calories somewhat)
we decided: Stay with yoga class, stretch at night,
walk in pairs or groups, eat (almost) right.
But never skip dessert: Old age ain’t for sissies,
nor for grumps, nor frumps. Just real women,
having our say and doing it (cue Nelson Riddle):
“Oooooooour Waaaaaaaaaay!”
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh I so love this! Hee hee, especially the falling on your face part (reminds me of when I fell in the ditch walking the dog one dark morning and got the giggles so bad I had trouble crawling out). Love the stuffing the boobs part, you are preaching to the choir here! I must investigate those “women-friendly bras”. Hilarious poem, highly relatable!
Sharp Little Pencil
Those bras were when I was 50 pounds heavier. They had wide, gel-filled straps that didn’t indent my shoulders. Wonderful invention. I am thinner now but would never go braless – those girls would swing around and I might put someone’s eye out, LOL!
Thanks so much. And I’m 54.
Debbie
Love this! I’m 51 and can so relate! You know, this reminds me of when I was younger and taking an aerobics and exercise class. There were a couple of older ladies in there who were the life of the class. They laughed and made us laugh. It was great. And it was this fun atmosphere that drew me to Jesus. (I had no idea that Christians could have fun! ha!) The aerobics teacher gave me a tract and invited me to her church. So, yes, I loved this poem and all the memories it evokes!
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, I have a portrait of Jesus with his head thrown back, laughing. It’s my favorite image. Sometimes we Christians take ourselves and our mission so seriously, we forget to laugh, especially at ourselves. I’m the first to laugh at my own foibles, and often it gives others “permission.”
God created us. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. I find logic in this! Have a lovely day tomorrow, Amy
pamela
Amy,
I love yoga and until I got into being flexible enough I fell a few times.
This made me laugh and I can totally relate except for the boob part.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
The boob part is actually old news. I USED to have saggy, depressing ones, until I took up exercise, yoga, walking, and healthy eating and lost 50 pounds! But it seemed to fit the poem, so I incorporated.
I still fall occasionally, practicing at home. The floor goes BOOM and Lex calls, “Yoga?” and I call back, “Yeah, I’m fine!”
Amy
Lafemmeroar
I love it! I’m going to post the link on the CCC chat page. This poem is so light and delightful about a very “heavy” subject … weight and aging. Oh imagine this on a greeting card?
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha! Only another Crazy Chick would buy it for her friend…! Glad you like it enough to post on the chat page, and so happy to be a part of the group! Amy
Shonnie
Smiling at ya CCC’er …. so wish I couldn’t relate to ya … but alass I do. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha, knew it was a Crazy Chick poem, for sure! May we all dance barefoot at 80 with rings on our fingers and bells on our toes!!! Amy
Shonnie
Exactly … we will be dancing with rings on our fingers and bells on our toes … until we drop. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Damned straight! Or gay or bi or trans, for that matter!! Love this comment! Amy