Since I've grown old my belly pops out
though I don't care
and find comfort in its wobbling.
Since I've grown old my body aches
in places that I never knew I had!
At least I know I'm alive, the pain reminds me.
To moan and be out spoken’s what I fancy
and I am _ to annoy my children,
grandchildren and some.
What good is it to be old and silent,
to sit in a chair, rocking to and fro
without a gripe or a fart or both!
No, I like to let the world know I'm here,
and after all these years of staying quiet,
to argue my point a little and snarl.
Since I've grown old my skin has creases
where there used to be bloom and colour
and young men complimented me.
Seems like only yesterday I let my babies,
suckle from my tiny breasts
that are huge now they're of no use.
Men stare when I sunbathe on the beach
with a newspaper over my head
and a flask of Earl Grey tea
so I cackle and crow and swear at them,
throw my stick at them and tell them to
behave ____ for now I am old.
Ruth Walters
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/since-i-ve-grown-old/