Then and Now

Please allow me to introduce myself. . .

When young I was bold and sharp as a tack
(foolish and witless and wrong on the fact)
Always cheerful and eager,  glad to be of use
(impolite, moody, sometimes quite obtuse)
See the bounce in my step, the cut of my suit
(arrogant and haughty, there is no dispute)
Forever a friend, glad to lend a willing hand
(at thirty percent interest, paid on demand)
All in all, a warm and likeable guy
(when not drunk, or stoned, or otherwise high)

Now I’m old and grey, with nothing to say
(I talk to myself across most of the day)
I forget my meds, and the time for my bed
(I’m rereading books that I’ve already read)
I do not walk or hike or work out at all
(I play tennis badly, and fucking pickleball)
I don’t recall grudges, or enemies I’ve made
(except for Dale Hancock, back in the eighth grade)
So it’s been a good life, it’s been quite a spree
(my version of eternity revolves around me)