1.In Praise of Older Men
Just because you dye your hair
Like some vain female
And smile too much, hoping to disguise
The creeping tracks amid the laughter lines;
Because you wear your collars higher now
And favour muted colours
Preferring classic cuts for the distinguished,
The mature, successful man;
Because a tan is easier to achieve
You glow with health as long as it persists
And several trips abroad are now the norm
To keep the winter desperately at bay.
Because young girls no longer stare
You doubt that I can dream
Or cry within my mind when you are leaving
To come back, come back, oh, please, come back;
You underestimate me.
- In Praise of Younger Men
Just because you leave your hair
To curl unchecked, like some vain female
Adopting a serious mien
Which may belie your youth;
Because your cool reserve is far too suspect
And even smalltalk lacks extraneous clutter;
Because you are respectful of your elders
And only speak when spoken to
In ever courteous tones;
Because your summer tan
Adds lustre to the pallor
Of your strangely perfect skin
And you are always eager to assist
Though never volunteering an opinion
Unless one is requested;
Because young girls are either much too shallow
To recognise your worth and make an effort
Or much too lazy for your slow attentions
You doubt that I could notice
Or smile within my mind at your approach;
You underestimate me.
iii. Self-Praise is No Praise
Just because I dye my hair
Like any vain female
To keep the winter desperately at bay;
Because an inch of Polyfilla
Is now required where once a half sufficed;
Because I need a younger style of dress
Which may belie my age;
Because I am respectable and married,
Settled, happy, comfortable, no longer seeing
Every man as a potential husband;
Because I go to church when no-one makes me,
Support the Sunday School and PTA;
Because my faith will frown on impure thoughts
I keep my longings secret. You may see
The woman down the street, or at the bus-stop,
Or your favourite aunt or niece,
While I restrain these idle hands
From causing me to sin, but still I want
To look and look and look, and go on looking;
Don’t ever underestimate yourselves.
First published in Reach
