Senior Citizen

I saw an old man on the stairs, it gave me a surprise.
I thought I ought to know him and I looked into his eyes:
I found it was a mirror and I see him every day -
But surely not in such a light - in a much kinder way?

When shaving in the morning I am not inclined to stare
As long as I don’t cut myself or fail to brush my hair.
I really can’t be bothered with the image in the glass,
It’s what I feel inside me that will make the daytime pass.

It’s true I’m getting older and my knees aren’t what they were,
I need to wear my glasses and my hearing’s only fair,
But please don’t be solicitous, concerned that I’m alright,
I’m surely not as frail as that - or is the mirror right?

Whatever the arithmetic and all your kindly fears,
I know I’m really lucky, I’ve felt thirty-five for years!

DB