Old Lindy Poem by Francis Duggan

Old Lindy who lives at the east end one of the oldest on Turton Street
Her hair it is grayer than silver and she has a gap in her front teeth
When she smiles her missing teeth quite visible but Lindy she doesn't seem to care
If she looks older than her age of seventy and she seems the worst for time's wear.

She cannot afford to go to the dentist and she never will dye her hair
And she will tell you an ageing car engine is an engine you should not repair
And she adds we are so very different than what others perceive us to be
When you look at me you see an old hag but an old hag is not the real me

Ten years ago her husband he left her for a younger woman a randy old bugger is Stan
But Lindy she does not begrudge him she says I did not love the man
The love had gone out of our marriage and he sought his sexual favours elsewhere
And life for me better without him good men they were always so rare.

Her lone offspring her son has a son and a daughter but from her they are separated by sea
They live in London in England and them she does not often see
She struggles to get by on a pension and her abode not a high class address
But she does not lapse into depression and she seems happy none the less.

Lindy is a marvellous woman and she is both clever and wise
And she has a warmth about her and beautiful soulful brown eyes
And though life for her it is not easy and the years have left her looking gray
Her philosophy for a happy existence is to make the most of every day.