Young folks look at old folks,
No longer in or cool.
Smart phones, tablets, television games, FaceBook
Are more to their school.

I’m just full to bursting with curiosity:
When you look my way, I wonder, what do you really see?
Do you see an author, poet, or just an old, aging man?
One day you’ll age, too, and begin to understand.

I hope in your aging you become very wise,
Then you’ll see what I see through these older eyes.
I know you don’t know me and really have no clues.
You haven’t walked one step, let alone countless miles, in my shoes.

Once like you, I was young with an attitude of devil-may-care,
Dancing and flirting with pretty girls and very hard to scare.
Today you dance to Hip Hop, but if I may be so bold:
Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Elvis gave us our music – called Rock and Roll.

I’ve traveled many roads, accomplished many things.
It all happened so very fast, I believe my feet had wings.
Life unfolded before me and holds me tightly in her embrace.
Wonders and tragedies etched these lines you see in my face.

Don’t try to put us all in wheel chairs or surround us with a fence.
You see, we possess knowledge you’ll need, but most of all experience.
Unlike you, there was no one around to guide, tell or show me
The secrets they had found.

I know you’re full of vitality and vinegar with energy to burn.
You have an itch you can’t scratch and hate to await your turn.
Good things come to those who wait,
Just one more thing you’ll learn.

So much to learn, so little time, and later you’ll realize my words ring true.
You’ll probably wish you had listened better before your trails are through.
So now my question begs an answer:
What do you really see when you look at me?