I WANT TO BE OLDER
There once was a boy, who had a friend.
They played as if time would never end.
Mickie and Paul were their names.
Sometimes, they were different. Sometimes, the same.
Paul was a boy. Mickie was a girl.
Mickie’s hair was straight. Paul’s had curls.
On many things they would disagree.
At times, they’d call in a referee.
But, when asked how they felt about getting older,
They raised their heads and straightened their shoulders,
They looked at each other and took a bow.
And then, at the same time, they made this vow,
“I want to be older! It’s magic to me.
I want to be older! How happy I’ll be.
If I were older, I could do it all!”
That’s what they said, both Mickie and Paul.
At three, they played with toys all day.
Trucks and dollies, blocks and clay.
They asked Aunt Jane, “Can we go to school?”
She said, “No, that would be breaking the rule.
When you go to school, you must be five.
Then you’ll be big kids, man alive!”
They looked at each other, and at the same time,
Spoke these words, as if having one mind,
“I want to be older! It’s magic to me.
I want to be older! How happy I’ll be.
If I were older, I could do it all!”
That’s what they said, both Mickie and Paul.
In time, they turned five and for half of the day,
They went to school, instead of just play.
They learned about colors and tying their shoes.
They learned about numbers and things in the news.
But they weren’t content with half a day.
Going home, they would always say,
“I want to be older! It’s magic to me.
I want to be older! How happy I’ll be.
If I were older, I could do it all!”
That’s what they said, both Mickie and Paul.
School was teaching them all kinds of tricks
In reading, and writing and arithmetic.
Each day, they learned a little more
But had less time to play "house" and "store."
They really enjoyed learning what's new,
But wanted time for playing too.
They looked at each other and took a bow,
And this time, they changed their little vow.
"I want to be older! It's magic to me.
I want to be older! How happy I'll be.
Until I'm older, I'll dream of the day.
I'll enjoy right now in a different way.
Then we really have it all."
That's what they said, both Mickie and Paul.
Junior high studies were harder you know.
But still, they took time to see a show.
They made the team, learned to ski,
Fed the dog, and climbed a tree.
Still, they looked forward to driving a car.
Dreamed of future trips to stars.
They looked at each other, and knew it was right
To dream of tomorrow, but enjoy tonight.
"I want to be older! It's magic to me.
I want to be older! How happy I'll be.
Until I'm older, I'll dream of the day.
I'll enjoy right now in a different way.
Then we really have it all."
That's what they said, both Mickie and Paul.
Time passed and they became old and gray.
They enjoyed their time in a different way.
Jobs, hobbies, and walks in the park,
Gardening, cooking and watching the larks,
Playing with children, feeding the cat.
Life can be fun wherever you're at.
Now they vow, as if one mind,
That at every age, they've had a good time.
"I enjoy being older! Each age has been fun.
I enjoy being older! My life's just begun
To show me the magic within each day,
And not to wish this day away.
Then we really have it all."
That's what they said, both Mickie and Paul.
© Lynnette Schuepbach, January 6, 1993
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