The spirit is willing, the body protests!

 

There is a sadness inside me always. 

It seems like only yesterday I was twelve!

Today, I am seventy and two!

I am now  'Hai uncle' .

I wish I could be 'Hello, young man'!

How I yearn 

to go for a game of football on the green field.

I can't. My legs don't yield!

How I long

To fling my school bag on the bed! 

And get my mum's face all red!

Throwing a bag today, on a chair, 

Will get grandson's snigger and stare

Loved the glances of the girls, then

Today, not a glance, 

not a chance!

Enjoyed then, the swim in the river!

Now it's so cold, the muscles shiver

Oh, that game of hide and seek!

Play that now? No, I am meek!

Nice game, police and thief!

But not now. All pain and grief!

A tarzan was I then, climbing the trees!

Not any more, pain in the knees!

"What would I like to be in the future?" 

No! Not a doctor, a pilot, or a teacher!

All I want to be is young, young forever.

And ever!