Classic and Contemporary Poetry
GROWIN' GRAY, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Poet's Biography First Line: Hello, ole man, you're a-gittin' gray Last Line: Hello, ole man, you 're a-gittin' gray! Subject(s): Aging | ||||||||
HELLO, ole man, you're a-gittin' gray, An' it beats ole Ned to see the way 'At the crow's feet 's a-getherin' aroun' yore eyes; Tho' it ought n't to cause me no su'prise, Fur there's many a sun 'at you 've seen rise An' many a one you 've seen go down Sence yore step was light an' yore hair was brown, An' storms an' snows have had their way -- Hello, ole man, you 're a-gittin' gray. Hello, ole man, you 're a-gittin' gray, An' the youthful pranks 'at you used to play Are dreams of a far past long ago That lie in a heart where the fires burn low -- That has lost the flame though it kept the glow, An' spite of drivin' snow an' storm, Beats bravely on forever warm. December holds the place of May -- Hello, ole man, you 're a-gittin' gray. Hello, ole man, you 're a-gittin' gray -- Who cares what the carpin' youngsters say? For, after all, when the tale is told, Love proves if a man is young or old! Old age can't make the heart grow cold When it does the will of an honest mind; When it beats with love fur all mankind; Then the night but leads to a fairer day -- Hello, ole man, you 're a-gittin' gray! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER THE GENTLE POET KOBAYASHI ISSA by ROBERT HASS MEMORY AS A HEARING AID by TONY HOAGLAND AMOROSA AND COMPANY by CONRAD AIKEN GRAY WEATHER by ROBINSON JEFFERS FROM THE SPANISH by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON A BANJO SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |
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