Suddenly Old - Tony Bradley

It feels like it crept up sneakily
and it happened almost overnight
but, thinking back, you saw the signs
you often felt, not quite right.

Relatives and friends have died around you,
your hair's thin on top now, and grows out your ears,
remember the school years?.....didn't they drag
but where the hell's the rest of the years?

You knock yourself on something and you're bruised for weeks,
you're feeling drained , you need a tonic
and every twinge, or the slightest lump
you're so afraid must be something chronic.

You hate going to funerals of friends who died
although your visits seem to please the minister,
and each gloomy service you can't help thinking,
your next one could well be even more sinister.

You wake some nights, in a cold fright,
yet you used to be such a good sleeper
you don't buy green bananas, or plan too far ahead
you're just dodging the old grim reaper.

Tony Bradley