Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OLD BONES, by RUTH COMFORT MITCHELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OLD BONES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I heard them talking, muttering and mouthing
Last Line: I'll be going gayly in my sweet, young flesh!
Alternate Author Name(s): Young, Sanborn, Mrs.
Subject(s): Aging; Bones


I heard them talking, muttering and mouthing
While we rubbed the linen on the shining wet stones,
And for all the sun was blazing it made me shiver --
"Bonny, eh, she's bonny -- but she'll never make old bones!"

Yet, when I looked at them -- great-granny Dinger
And Aunt Mary Holly will be ninety come June,
Shrivelled up and yellow-gray and dim-eyed and wheezing --
Then I stuck my chin out and I said: "I'd just as soon!"

I ran away to the pool in the clearing;
There I saw the whole of me, smooth and pink and fresh . . .
Well, let 'em stay till their old bones crumble --
I'll be going gayly in my sweet, young flesh!





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