I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred

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  • Life

    I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred
    I never thought I'd make it through the 8th grade.
    I thought that Bobby West would do me in.
    I learned to keep my head low and my eyes down,
    And sometimes how to take one on the chin.
     
    I never thought I'd make it through the Army,
    The bullets zipping overhead like flies,
    The mortars and the rockets all around me,
    The friendships and unfortunate goodbyes.
     
    I never thought I'd find someone who loved me.
    I thought there wasn't any one who cared.
    But then you came and took my hand and showed me
    That even broken lives can be repaired.
     
    I never thought we'd get the kids through college,
    Those teenage years were stormier than hell,
    But found that love and strength and some compassion
    Are virtues that will serve us very well.
     
    I never thought I'd lose you then to cancer,
    The chemo, radiation and the pills,
    But gradually your eyes taught me the answer,
    Survival is the hardest of all skills.
     
    I never thought I'd live to be a hundred.
    I never thought I'd see an era when
    Our DNA could be somehow be repaired so
    That we could all be teenagers again.
    I never thought I'd make it through the 8th grade.
    I thought that Bobby West would do me in.
    I learned to keep my head low and my eyes down,
    And sometimes how to take one on the chin.
     
    I never thought I'd make it through the Army,
    The bullets zipping overhead like flies,
    The mortars and the rockets all around me,
    The friendships and unfortunate goodbyes.
     
    I never thought I'd find someone who loved me.
    I thought there wasn't any one who cared.
    But then you came and took my hand and showed me
    That even broken lives can be repaired.
     
    I never thought we'd get the kids through college,
    Those teenage years were stormier than hell,
    But found that love and strength and some compassion
    Are virtues that will serve us very well.
     
    I never thought I'd lose you then to cancer,
    The chemo, radiation and the pills,
    But gradually your eyes taught me the answer,
    Survival is the hardest of all skills.
     
    I never thought I'd live to be a hundred.
    I never thought I'd see an era when
    Our DNA could be somehow be repaired so
    That we could all be teenagers again.

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    Crush commented on I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred

    04-21-2013

    Okay, I admit it. I cried when I read this masterpiece. I travelled through an honest life while reading this. This is a masterpiece. Deserves to be required reading. Easily a ten !
    Reply to Comment

    gmcookie

    04/23/2013

    Thank You, my friend. Life has a way of throwing curve balls sometimes, I guess.

    gmcookie

    04/23/2013

    I'll tell you what. I wrote a funny limerick this morning. I'll put it up to lighten your spirits...

    slimgoodwoody commented on I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred

    04-20-2013

    I thought I was in for a happy cheerful read of a life gone by too fast and too fun but I encountered a thoughtful, moving piece of human interests, filled with drama, emotion, darkness, pain and honesty. I applaud your commitment to your truth.
    Reply to Comment

    gmcookie

    04/20/2013

    Sort of like life, huh? Its like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get...

    slimgoodwoody

    05/03/2013

    More like a litter box cuz you know you just don't know when its gonna pop up!!!

    poett commented on I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred

    04-17-2013

    Wow such an emotional poem written with so much enthusiasm n passion. I truly enjoyed this I heart felt the sentiment put in it. Hugs
    Reply to Comment

    gmcookie

    04/17/2013

    Yes, life can throw you curve balls sometimes.

    Poetry is not the expression of personality but an escape from personality.

    T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) American-English poet and playwright.

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