Walk With Me As I Age Poem by John Yaws

They say that you can measure age-
By the way you feel.
That growing old is optional,
That old age isn't real…

I have a hard time grasping that,
As my hair turns grey and thin:
And joints that once were supple,
Today will hardly bend.

My strength from other, better days-
Has sprouted wings and flown,
And nearly all my family-
I find are dead and gone.

But I'm not mourning; not at all-
Life does reciprocate.
And beauties oft amaze me-
Especially here of late.

My fading strength has slowed me down-
So now I take the time,
To smell the roses that I pass,
Enjoy life sublime.

Relationships mean so much more-
As I draw near the end-
And family more precious,
As well as every friend.

So slow your step, yea, take your time-
Ere we pass off the stage…
Won't you walk a mile with me,
As I so quickly age?