Older

Having, reluctantly, concluded
that i am now too old -
we will draw the veil
over questions of ability, please -
to become
      an engine driver,
       pilot,
       Olympic champion
       or matinee idol,
and,
knowing one cannot learn to
       carry a tune,
       fly,
       visit new planets,
       or be dimpled,and
having ticked off
       snowball fight,
       river running,
       being published,
       being on stage,
       and dancing,
i look now
to my remaining ambitions:
      to climb a mountain,
       to swim once in every sea
       to start a religion,
       to be tough enough
       to intimidate my daughters’ admirers,
       to write words that you wished you had.
That
should keep me busy.

Read at Manisha's, October 9th