“Why Don’t You Act Your Age?”
By larry r linville

When I was young about three or four
I’d cause my parents much rage.
They’d glare at me with a red angry face
asking, “Why don’t you act your age?”


They thought I had regressed in years
Acting more like I was two
and they preferred I acted even older
than the baby thing I would do.

As a teenager this was repeated
when responsibilities I would lack.
In spite of my growing maturity
I seemed be moving back.

“Why don’t you act your age?”
seemed to be a call to act older
And each time I received this challenge
I tried to act even bolder.

Now I’m an old retired man
not wanting to act my age
and it seems that most of my peers
are happy to live in a cage.

I don’t want to sit and complain
about those good old days.
I’d rather run with those who are young
and constantly learn some new ways.

I just can’t let myself act my age
I’ll get old soon enough.
Until that day let me still think young
or at least put up a good bluff.