Life’s a Stage

I have walked this stage
for more than half a century.
My God! How ancient the sound of it.

Looking back I identify the places
where the ‘acts’ were spliced,
although invisible at the time.

There were some wonderful parts;
the infant, the juvenile, the adult -
complicated characters all!

Now the critics advise that I must accept
a new part; ‘Elderly’ or even ‘Old’.
I refuse this branding, as I did the others.

I do not drool or vacantly stare
As if imagining a ghostly presence
I manage continence…reasonably well!

Why should I be stigmatized so?
This is my production, I say!
I will decide the role best suited.

But a voice whispers from the wings,
‘You are only the actor, I write the script.
When I direct, you must exit stage left!’