WHEN I WAS ONE AND TWENTY
by John T. Baker
When I was one and twenty
I knew all there was to know;
Sheepskin unfurled I faced the world
With confidence aglow;
No task too tough, no road too rough,
No fear of any foe;
For I was one and twenty -
And that was long ago.

But then by one and forty
My assurance had declined;
Sometimes a doubt would start to sprout
And creep into my mind;
Surprising how decisions now
Took longer to unwind;
For I was one and forty -
And dreams lay far behind.

And then at one and sixty,
All the years, alas, misused,
No lessons learned from bridges burned,
My ego badly bruised,
The things that once were cherished stunts
No longer much amused;
For I was one and sixty -
And hopelessly confused.

But now I'm one and eighty,
A bit longer in the tooth;
I'll reappraise those long-gone days
And search for shards of truth;
Then maybe I can qualify
To be considered couth
And reap at one and eighty
The wisdom of my youth.