LETTERS: POEM DEDICATED TO SENIOR CITIZENS

To the editor:

I would like to dedicate this poem to my parents, Sally and Lenard Clayton, Melba Myers and all of the senior citizens of Cape Girardeau:

They Call Them the Gold Years

Senior citizens, oldies and wrinklies,

Discard the cane.

You're not in pain.

Just a few stiff joints

That need oilin' at the points.

Take a pill for the arthritis,

And forget your cystitis.

Eyes aren't what they used to be,

But at least you can see

After that last cataract operation.

Have a tuck here,

A nip there.

Now that the wrinkles are few,

That old model looks brand new.

The engine's still running.

Just takes longer to start.

CHRISTINE CLAYTON-OWEN

London, England