I’M VERY WELL THANK YOU


There is nothing the matter with me
I’m as healthy as can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees
and when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak and my blood is thin
but I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

Arch supports I have for my feet
or I wouldn’t be able to be on the street.
Sleep is denied me night after night
but every morning I find I’m alright.
My memory is failing, my head’s in a spin
but I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

The moral is this, as my tail I unfold
that for you and for me, who are growing old
It’s better to say I’m fine, with a grin,
then to let folks know the shape we are in.
How did I know that my youth was all spent?
well – ‘my get up and go’ just got up and went.

But I really don’t mind when I think with a grin
of all the great places my feet have been in.
Old age is golden; I’ve heard it said,
but sometimes I wonder as I get into bed,
With my ears in the drawer, my teeth in a cup,
my eyes on the table until I get up.

E’re sleep overtakes me, I say to myself?’.
‘Is there anything else I could lay on the shelf?’.
When I was young, my slippers were red,
I could kick my heels right over my head;
When I was older my slippers were blue,
but still I could dance the whole night through.

Now I am old my slippers are black,
I walk to the stove and puff my way back.
I get up each morning and dust of my wits,
and pick up the paper and read the ‘Obits’;
If my name is still missing I know I’m not dead,
so I have a good breakfast and go back to bed.


-