Because I'm 51 (A Birthday Poem)

I was born in the 70s

And who became who I am in the 80s and 90s.

I'm now old enough

To say I lived in six decades and two separate centuries.

I'm getting too old to deal with the daily grind

But not old enough to retire.

Because I'm 51

And there is still a lot of responsibilities required.

I outlasted rotary phones and dial-up internet.

I carry scars from Challenger and 9/11.

I've reached a point in my life where "sleeping in"

Is any time past 7.

I was part of the last generation that had to wait until Saturday morning to watch cartoons.

And one of the last that needed to go outside to play if we wanted to have fun.

I don't shake my fist at clouds yet, but I don't like people being on my lawn.

All because I'm 51.

I always know when we're going to get rain,

Thanks to knees that tell the weather.

And while today's music and movies aren't necessarily bad

They ones from my day were so much better.

My metabolism already gave up on me; my blood pressure requires a pill.

I honestly have no regrets but there are plenty of things I would have redone.

I'm older but I'm also wiser

At the age of 51.

______________________________________________________________________

Here are some of my other poems:

The Night the Wisconsin Badger Tapped Out (A Poem)

Steven Helmer Publications