Too Old to be Old
Poems at 95
by
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In and Out of My Mind Day in and day out uninvited music comes and goes. You’re in my mind as your beautiful singing flows. Why do you invade that little box, called brain? Music spills out despite no request to entertain. Awake in the morning and the singing begins Your voice is there every time and I listen. When I’m involved in anything that makes me think, You find rest within my soul and rise in a blink Your kindness not a burden to my mind Is appreciated beyond description of any kind. You come and go, quietly, leaving no trace I wonder who will I see if ever I see your face Who are you, where are you, where did you come from Those questions I need answered from anyone Thank you for the soft music, the lovely singing, all is tops Come out of the shadows, let’s meet before the music stops Too Old To Be Old I’m too old to worry that I am old I don’t respond to all the advice I’m told Having reached the stage when I’m called “old” I won’t allow mere numbers to make me fold I’m too old to be old. When is a person considered to be old? Sometimes when age seems to take hold Some feel old while their age is still low Many believe old age is when the body slows My wife at 94 needs constant aid we’re told As a caregiver at 95, I’m an elder among the old My assistance provides a great deal of good Age interferes with living as I once could Lord knows I want to do the best I can Sometimes my legs won’t carry me as my mind commands It will be no surprise as the days unfold I’ll feel too old to care about being “old” And all the restrictions good friends urge on me As an elder, I’m too old to obey happily Why pay attention to no sugar, salt, and other ideas? At my age what have I got to worry about or fear? Don’t expect me to do all that I’m told I’m too old to be limited by “old.” All they think about is what I can’t do, not what I can Sure I’m older but I’m not just a retired “old” man Don’t be amazed that a man my age feels too old to be just “old” I’ll keep doing the things I can that brought me here, being bold Some independence is too precious to be sold
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About the Book
Poet Jess Strauss is 95 and doesn’t know how many days, months or years are in store for him. Sitting back and waiting for the inevitable to arrive is not his way of life. As the title of the book says, Strauss is too old to be concerned with being old. The goal is to survive and be active in the remaining years. In this collection, he blends memory and vision to share experiences with his resilient attitude toward life and longevity. The poems are real, sincere, inspiring, and thought provoking. In compassionate verse, Strauss offers his poetic viewpoints on poverty, disability, loneliness, war, and the ironies of life. There’s romance, love, stories, friendship, family values, and ironic laughter represented page after page.
About the Author
Jess Strauss resides in Palm City, Florida with his wife of 71 years. A great grandfather at age 95, he wrote his fifth book, Too Old To Be Old. He has served over fifty years as an officer and pilot with 108 search and rescue missions in the Civil Air Patrol, a United States Air Force Auxiliary.