Poetry by by Jake Webster Lord When I’m Old (Carol)

Lord when I’m old

Don’t ward me off to the state

To one old folks’ home after another

Don’t give me food stamps

And other old folks’ subsidies

Thinking that I’m going to be satisfied

Lord when I’m old

My eyes seem to fail me

Old body don’t move so fast

“Honey Child”

Don’t you think for one minute that I’m slow

Lord when I’m old

Don’t let people be afraid to touch me

Cause I have touched people

Don’t be afraid to love me

Cause I to have loved

Don’t let my kindness be taken for a weakness

Let my strengths be known

Lord when I’m old

Don’t let my walking stick become my right-hand man

Don’t let my overcoat become my home

Don’t let my aches and pains become my comforter

These dreams of mine

Some fail

Some realized

Keeps me going

God gave to me what I have