Fit Active Ageing

When a person’s just fifty they’re really still young,

And haven’t yet stepped on the very first rung

Of the ladder that starts when a person is old –

They’re not even close to the elderly fold.

At sixty they’re maybe approaching the time

When they can start thinking one day they must climb

On the very first step of the journey which leads

To a life which in general more slowly proceeds.

At seventy they may be still feeling fine,

And confident old age is far down the line.

At eighty as well, many people don’t feel

Being thought of as elderly’s part of the deal.

At ninety, perhaps, they might want to slow down.

But still don’t like wearing the elderly crown.

That’s for the old, of a hundred or more,

And they’ve got another ten years left in store.

The Need to Wait

Whenever there’s an incident it’s better that we seek

To find out what the facts are, before we start to speak;

So often first impressions are a long way from the truth,

And speaking without thinking is a well-known sign of youth,

And can sometimes cause trouble, as some people may react

To what is merely guesswork, but which they assume is fact.

It’s better to delay a speech, until we’re more informed,

By which time our initial thoughts may well have been transformed.

Too many people rush to give their thoughts without a clue

About the wider picture than’s initially in view;

It happens all the time as people want an instant quote

To interest their listeners and keep news programmes afloat.

But it often would seem better to just wait a while and see

And then present a reasoned view, whatever that might be.

A Pick-Up Drink Needed

A cup of coffee’s what I need

To bring my brain cells up to speed;

Too long have I been sitting here,

And hoping ideas would appear,

But nothing’s happened, so I think

What I need is a pick-up drink,

A cup of coffee, freshly brewed,

So my brain will be renewed.

Ninety Years

Ninety years and still at work;

The Queen was never one to shirk,

Since she ascended on the throne,

The duties that are hers alone.

Her workload still is more than most

Of half her age could really boast

That they could cover, all the while

Keeping a calm, unhurried smile.

Her life has witnessed so much change

As she’s dealt with such a range

Of different people, different ways,

Which have occupied her days.

At a time when nearly all,

Have answered their retirement call,           

Feeling that they’re now too old

To be within the working fold,

The Queen goes on just as before,

Fulfilling every job and chore

That go with her being Head of State;

Her duties there will not abate

But will go on, it is quite clear      

Though she gets older every year.

Heads of State in other lands,

Though they may have many fans,

Usually come and go quite soon;

Her many years as Queen are strewn

With leaders who were passing through,

And soon replaced by someone new.

But she goes on, and let’s hope we

In ten years’ time are here to see

Her hundredth birthday – what a date,

For our marvellous Head of State!

Holidays

A welcome escape from the daily grind,

A time when work is left behind,

And one has the chance to go away

And just enjoy every hour of the day.

No need to rush to get in on time,

And getting up late is for once not a crime;

No hassled commute in an over-packed train –

Both in the morning and then home again;

No need to rush to ensure the work’s done,

Instead if one wants to, just laze in the sun;

A time to relax, keeping stress levels low,

Even ignoring how fast time will go.

The Result of the Referendum

The referendum’s getting nearer – have the pollsters got it right?

Will it be, as they’re predicting, very much a close-run fight?

But with those “Remain In” voters  getting just a fraction more

Support from all the country’s voters, giving them a final score

Which means that Britain stays in Europe, now until the end of time,

Something that with loads of people and their many friends would chime.

But it could be they’re mistaken, and the “Leave” share will come through

With that longed-for higher figure, giving first place in the queue;

What will happen if the counting shows the “Leave” vote well ahead,

Something many politicians if they’re honest really dread?

Only time will show the answer; meanwhile we must wait and see,

When the votes have all been counted, what the end result will be.

Changing Fashions

Fashions come and fashions go

As modern women all will know;

Last year’s length’s completely changed

And styles completely re-arranged.

As newer fashions now appear,

Quite different from the ones last year.

But through you’ve gone and bought some more,

Replacing those you wore before,

If you’ve room you really should

Keep all those that are still good,

For fashions change and time will come

When new designers will succumb

To resurrecting those old styles,

And in your wardrobe you’ll have piles

Of what’s become the latest trend,

And all without the need to spend

A fortune in a new campaign,

To wear the latest once again.