(See the winning entry list here.)

Plaints of the Old Git

by Peter Hankins

These days you frown into the mirror’s face,
Displeased to see more wrinkles on your skin,
You seem to feel they carry some disgrace,
While I just make mine worse with one more grin.
It’s yet another way that life’s unfair,
I never felt I needed to be pretty,
I s’pose at least you’re keeping all your hair,
But I don’t care if I look sort of gritty.
There’s deeper stuff to mind about my face,
Stupidity and malice show their signs,
While shiftiness and greed have left a trace,
I cannot care too much about some lines,
You’ve read those lines and noticed what they say,
But that’s too dark for me: I look away.

I do forget too many needful things,
Appointments, jobs and meetings, special days,
I understand the stress and grief that brings,
I know it causes issues and delays.
And yet you know my mind retains like glue,
Embarrassments and gaffes from all my years,
The stupid things I did, or said to you,
They keep me up at night like childhood fears.
It’s not that I don’t think or ever care,
Regrets I’ve got, appointments just aren’t there.
It isn’t that I’m lacking in civility,
Could we not say it’s more a disability?

Next time I’m born, I’ll get my parents right,
The richest Dad and fondest ever Mum.
I’ll be to them a little ray of light,
I’ll use my words and sit down on my bum.
Next time I go to school I’ll do the work,
I’ll read the books and memorise what’s taught;
Revise for my exams and never shirk,
I’ll volunteer and be quite good at sport.

Next time I live, I’ll get the right career,
Well paid, well earned, rewarding and correct;
I shan’t devote my lunchtime hours to beer,
And if they come, I’ll get those symptoms checked.
So shed no tears, my darling: you must know,
I’ll love you still upon my second go.

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