BEASTLY TALES

A QUESTION OF AGE

There I was, feeling somewhat O.K.,
Driving along the highway, the other day.
Saw a sign, “Aged people cross here!”
And, thought I, that sounds very queer.
Firstly, as to why aged people should be so cross,
This is a subject, the answer to, I’m at a loss.
Is it anger at inevitably becoming aged?
Is it a conflict that just has to be waged?
And just why, to be cross, must they go to that point?
Surely they can be cross at any other joint?
Is it an indictment on aged people in general.
That when you are older, being cross is perennial?
So many questions, unanswered thus far,
So much to think of, while driving my car!

Some people say that I do have issues.
“Is that why you are always sniffling in tissues?”
Others say that I do have attitude,
“Is that, indeed, why you’re always so rude?”
“It is curious that, although not so aged,”
“You are so quickly and readily enraged.”
“The slightest of things can make you quite cross.”
“Keep active, remember a rolling stone gathers no moss!”
“Perhaps you need to go to that highway place,”
“Where, for aged people, being cross is no disgrace.”

Perhaps you should cut me more latitude,
Keeping in mind that I seem to have attitude.
But while we are on the subject now,
It should be mentioned just precisely how,
That sign casts further aspersions at old folk.
Such an attitude in no way resembles a joke.
Namely, that because they are old they must be infirm,
Not necessarily a complimentary term,
Perhaps “Non Compus Mentis” is the clear implication,
Far from respectful to the aged of our nation!