Thoughts, Poems, and Prose

The following poem was contributed by Betty Macfarlane, Renfrew Federation Press Secretary. It was sent to her on her 70th birthday by a Canadian member of the WI. (kindly contributed by Bunty Dixon)

I'm Not Old - Merely Mature

Today at the drug store, the clerk was a gent,

From my purchase this chap took ten percent,

I asked for the cause of this lesser amount,

And he answered “Because of the Senior's Discount.”

I went to the corner for a burger and fries,

And there once again got quite a surprise!

The clerk poured some coffee, which he handed to me.

He said for you seniors the coffee is free.”

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Understand - I'm not Old - I'm merely mature,

But some things are changing -temporarily I'm sure,

The newspaper print gets smaller each day,

And people speak softer - can't hear what they say.

My teeth are my own (I have the receipt),

And my glasses identify the people I meet,

Oh, I've slowed down a bit - not a lot I'm sure,

You see I'm not old- merely mature

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The gold in my hair has been bleached by the sun,

You should see all the damage that chlorine has done,

Washing my hair has turned it all white,

But don't call it grey - saying blonde is just right.

My friends all get older - much faster than me,

They seem more wrinkled from what I can see.

I've got 'Character Lines' not wrinkles for sure,

But don't call me old - just call me mature.

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The steps in the houses they're building today,

Are so high they take your breath away,

And the streets are much steeper than ten years ago,

That should explain why my walker is slow.

But I'm keeping up with what's 'Hip' and what's 'New',

And I still think I can Dance a mean 'Boogaloo'.

I'm still in the running - in this I'm secure,

I'm not really Old - I'm Merely Mature

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This is the beginning of a new day

God has given me this day to use as I will

I can use it or waste it, or use it for good

What I do is important

Because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes this day will be gone for ever

Leaving in its place something I have traded for it.

I want it to be gain not loss

Good not evil, success not failure In order that

I will not regret the price I paid for it.

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Oh dear, I overslept today and stayed in bed too long

I simply had no time to pray and everything went wrong.

I didn't put the water in the kettle so it fused!

I burned the toast and ended up frustrated and confused.

So irritated, cross and vexed, too tired and tense to pray,

To Him in desperation cried "Oh Lord, I've lost my way!.

And then a gentle voice within my mind appeared to say,

"It's not too late to turn to me, include me in your day."

And so with shame I turned to Him,

and all my heart outpoured;

I felt his wondrous peace flood in, and whispered,

THANK YOU LORD.

kindly submitted by Betty Yarker

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Saying the Lord’s Prayer: a reflection from Nicaragua

Don’t say ‘Father’ if you don’t behave like a son each day

Don’t say ‘Our’ if you ever only think of yourself

Don’t say ‘As it is in heaven’ if you only ever think of earthly matters

Don’t say ‘Hallowed be your name’ if you don’t honour that name

Don’t say ‘Your kingdom come’ if you are weighed down with material goods

Don’t say ‘Your will be done’ if you don’t accept hard times

Don’t say ‘Our daily bread’ if you have no concern for the hungry or the homeless

Don’t say ‘Forgive us our sins’ if you remain angry with your brothers

Don’t say ‘Lead us not into temptation’ if you intend to continue sinning

Don’t say ‘Deliver us from evil’ if you won’t make a stand against injustice

Don’t say ‘Amen’ without considering the words of your prayer

sent to me by Christian Aid, Justin

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