Staying active

'Joy of ageing' poetry competition winner Anne Ballard:

"I wrote this poem following my 60th birthday in an attempt to laugh off the new experiences of 'ageism' - I am now 63 and getting used to it!"

Getting my Freedom Pass
(The Joy of Ageing)

When I told the girl at the counter
I couldn’t collect it
on The Big Birthday
her reply was:  Ah‚ bless you!
I heard it as:  Ah‚ you old dear‚
going to the grandchildren are you?

I was going walking in Sicily -
but that started the rot:

Can you manage‚ dear?
down a shallow short staircase;

Have a seat while you wait:
for a routine prescription;

I’ll come back and help you –
when all that impedes me
is your child‚ stuck in the mud‚
blocking the path.

Are you still working?
Yes‚ ten-hour days
dealing with situations and people
you have never imagined.

So much condescending care‚
strange how it vanishes
my grey hair becomes invisible
when I shove my way
on to a rush hour train‚ dragging behind me
my wheelie-bin briefcase:
just when it might
have been rather welcome.

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