Old Age
When I'm too old and frail to move about.
There's still so much in life I long to know.
For thirty-five full years I watched you grow.
My memories have never faded out.
Oh, please don't think it's time for me to go.
Exploring lands of sunshine, winds and snow,
We sailed the seas and saw both floods and drought.
There's still so much in life I long to know.
Together we survived when times were low.
Tenacious spirits ours, beyond a doubt.
Oh, please don't think it's time for me to go.
Those golden years passed by, some fast, some slow.
Each spring that passed we watched the snowdrops sprout.
There's still so much in life I long to know.
A burden on the NHS? Say 'No'.
My mind's alert as ever, so I shout,
Oh, please don't think it's time for me to go.
There's still so much in life I long to know.
Earlier Draft: Villanelle
because I'm old and cannot move about.
There's plenty left in life abroad to know.
For thirty-six long years I watched you grow.
My memories have never faded out.
Oh, please deny it's time for me to go.
Exploring lands of sunshine, winds and snow,
We sailed the seas and witnessed floods and drought.
There's plenty left in life abroad to know.
Together we survived when times were low.
Tenacious spirits ours, beyond a doubt.
Oh, please deny it's time for me to go.
Those golden years slipped by, some fast, some slow.
Each passing spring we noticed snowdrops sprout.
There's plenty left in life abroad to know.
A burden on the NHS? Say 'No'.
My mind's alert as ever, so I shout,
Oh, please deny it's time for me to go.
There's plenty left in life abroad to know.
