Swimming Naked in the Sun - Jan 24 2023

 

Swimming Naked in the Sun

Jan 24 2023

There are many words for this.

Like 40 words for snow;

when life depends on it

and a single one

is hardly enough.

Mature

silver fox

emeritus.

Old

senior

pensioner.

Geriatric

elderly

frail.

The unlucky

die too soon

but stay forever young.

The rest of us grow old.

And as much

as we're reluctant to use the words

will go on getting older.

At our own pace

in our own good time,

but nevertheless

progressing through the stages

as bodies fail

and minds dull.

And as the old terms get freighted

with unpleasant connotations

like useless

impaired

infirm,

we come up with new ones.

So the old became seniors

and seniors, elders,

which sounds less dismissive

more respectful.

Until, that is, it doesn't

and we invent something else.

Because while words may change

attitudes do not.

Or you can refuse to get old

by staying young at heart.

After all, when old age starts

is up to you,

no matter what word they use;

amazing

how how far middle aged can be stretched!

And even older people

can swim naked in the sun

dance after dark,

organize a protest march

fall hopelessly in love.

And even frail and bed-bound

the mind can stay sharp.

An elder, with wisdom to impart.

How sad

no one's listening.

One of the last acceptable prejudices: ageism. However, unlike the others, it doesn’t discriminate: unless you’re unlucky enough to die young, we all experience old age. So young people beware: your turn is coming!

It's interesting how fresh language works for awhile, but can’t ultimately overcome ingrained attitudes.

I apologize for having no female equivalent to silver fox. “Grey panther” has been used, but not at all widely. “Silver vixen” would work technically, but hasn't caught on. And “cougar” — with its predatory and somewhat judgemental connotation — means something very different. However, I understand that silver fox can cut both ways. If not in practice, them least in theory!