I who have long studied life
and not my own alone
am still surprised to arrive
here in my seventieth year.
I don’t feel old
or young, or even middle-aged,
just myself rolling along
with the odd ache and pain
and a crate full of memories.
Walking round the block
the other day, I felt so fine
I wanted to kick up my heels
I mean literally, and so I did.
Not a high kick
but I did click my shoes
and didn’t land face first.
We laughed knowing
none of the neighbors
who see us on our daily walks
would ever dream
such a friendly old dear
could have such a wish
and do it, right there on the street.
Then on we went, chuckling
in that tender between us way
that is a fruit of our aging
but still doesn’t mean I feel old.

© by Signe Eklund Schaefer.    
Used with the author’s permission.