Profile
Photos
Comments
This is dedicated to my cousin Sherril:
Everybody has to get old,
But staying young is quite a trick.
I watched the old hand working and I marveled at his spunk.
He was tough, fast and agile for his age,
His mind was still a perking, his physique – a real hunk.
Younger hands considered him a sage,
So I asked them all politely what he'd done to stay so young,
How a guy his age could keep up with the best.
He said most every nightly that he'd partied, danced and sung,
He rarely ever got a whole night's rest.
Unlike most rank old fogies, he'd been chasing wild skirts
And consumed at least a quart of booze every day.
He endlessly smoked stogies, he stuffed his face until it hurt
And he gambled every penny of his pay.
So curious I couldn't stand it, I inquired, “What's your age?â€
And he spoke through ragged teeth stained by the brew,
“An estimate on age at best is pretty tough to gage, for you see,â€
He grinned, “I'm only thirty-two.â€
Though I was not a wild one we turned out best of friends,
We spent hours talking on the bunkhouse lawn.
But those who live life recklessly all come to early ends,
And he called for me when he was almost gone.
He lay there on his death bed – gaunt and ashen as the snow;
His breathing heavy-labored, his heart-beat deathly slow,
His gnarled face and silver hair topped off his plaid pajamas,
And at the other end stuck out his treasured Tony Llamas.
He strained to talk -- a muffled try;
I leaned and heard him say, “Friend, listen to my last request,
Before I slip away,
I've stashed some top-notch bourbon underneath the bottom stair
And saved it for an extra-special affair.
It's sure I'll never drink it now, although its taste I crave,
So please go get it when I'm gone (cough-cough)
And pour it on my grave.â€
Well, since I was his trusted friend I knew I must comply,
And told him he could rest assured, “Go ahead and die.â€
But as an after-thought I asked, “I too possess a thirst.
Please be a sport and let me pour it through my kidneys first.â€
That is what friends are for -- to take care of your last requests.
By Michael Sorbern Robinson, Utah.
