My hair is white and I'm almost blind
The days of my youth are far behind
My neck is stiff, I can't turn my head
Can't hear one-half that's being said
My legs are wobbly, can hardly walk
But glory be, I can surely talk!
And this is the message I want you to get
I'm still a-kicking, and I ain't dead yet.
My joints are stiff, won't move in their sockets.
And nary a dime is left in my pockets,
So maybe you think I'm a total wreck.
To tell you the trouth I don't look that great
But still I have a whole lot of fun
And my heart with joy is still overrun.
I've lots of friends so kind and so sweet
And still many move that I've yet to meet.
Oh, this is a wonderful world of ours,
Shade and sunshine and beautiful flowers.
So, you just take from me, you bet,
I'm glad I'm living and I ain't dead yet.
I've corns on my feet and ingrowing nails,
And do they hurt? Here pain language fails.
To tell you my troubles would talk to long,
If I tried you surely would give me the gong.
I go to church and sunday school too
For I love the story that is ever new.
And when I reach the end of my row,
I hope to my heavenly home I will go,
And then when I leave this house of clay,
If you listen closely, I'm quite apt to say
'well folks I've left you but don't you forget,
I've just passed on, but I ain't dead yet! .
Ross Ingram
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-ain-t-dead-yet/
