Too Damn Old Poem by David Whalen

I was here when television wasn't…
Movies in color were still a new thing
Cars were mostly black

I was here when jet planes weren't…
Telephones were bulky and hung from the wall
Most every town had a railroad track

I was here when satellites and smartphones didn't exist
Cars were smoky and clunky
And streetcars were the best way to ride

I was here when school buses were still in the future
When calculators and computers were Science fiction
And kids actually played outside

I was here before electric cars were ho-hum
Before TVs became huge and slim
And fridges were actually cooled with ice

I was around before there wereAdidas or Nikes
Before slim legged jeans and Bikini bathing suits
Gotta admit… those last two are nice

I was old enough to be able to read the "whites only" signs
Before there was such a thing as "Equal Rights"
And blacks always got the short end of the stick


I was around when fried chicken was always home cooked
And Tater Tots were not thought up yet
Fast food still in the future takeout definitely not quick

Iwas here before Supermarkets were…
Here when we feared being bombed at night
I was here when clocks tocked and ticked

I lived when milk was delivered
And the only kind had cream on top
When coal smoke clouded the air

I was around when curse words were reserved for pool halls
Radios and pianos were the sounds that filled our ears
And orange and purple were not for hair

I was around before constant change became the norm
When things were repaired instead of thrown away
And plastic instead of paper took hold

I used to pine for the good ol' days
Now I wish I could change with the times
But I can't because
I'm just too damned
…old! ! ...

309 words