Senior Mind

I realized what I’d left behind

When I was almost there,

But with my brand new “senior” mind,

I didn’t quite prepare.

 

The Met* was where I’d headed to,

About a mile away,

My membership renewal due;

I’d visit and I’d pay.

 

To make things lighter, I’d switched bags,

For when it’s summer weather,

My spirit and my shoulder sags

When weighted down with leather.

 

I’d moved my phone, my notebook, keys

And thought that I was finished,

Until a sudden thought did seize.

(My brain’s not all diminished!)

 

I didn’t have my little case

With credit card and money.

No way for me to thus replace

My member card. What’s funny

 

Is that I’d felt proud of my plan,

Combining art and mission,

Forgetting that my brain cells can

Reject so much ambition.

 

*Metropolitan Museum of Art