RIPENESS IS ALL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23942, 8 May 1943, Page 4

RIPENESS IS ALL

FBy WHIM WHAM] Life seems to begin at 100, according to the Eastern Psychological Association. After 20 years’ study of 450 centenarians, it is stated that persons who have reached the five score mark seem to get a second wind. Several centenarians had failing eyesight restored and even hair colouring restored. New teeth were cut also. It is reported that most persons after their hundredth birthday develop new interests, enthusiasms, hobbies, sense of humour, and appetite.—Cable news item from New York. I cannot say that I aspire To live a Hundred Years or More. I strut and fret my Hour upon Life’s narrow Stage, not looking for The undeserved Felicity Of an Encore. Like Autumn Leaves in their due Season My Hair will fall, my Teeth decay, My Eyes grow dim, my Wits disperse; Old Age will take its normal Way, And long before the Hundred Mark I shall be Clay. Rejuvenation may await The Man who greets his hundredth Spring; Youth’s lusty Joys may pale beside Post-Centenarian Frolicking. My Notion of a Life provides For no such Thing. The Year 2000, like enough, May bring the Height of human Bliss— New Foods we cannot live without, New super-Films we must not miss; Some War in which we have to fight, No Less than This. But I’ll be nearly Ninety then, If still alive, and not inclined To look beyond my Fin de Sieclc, Or grow new Teeth, or change my Mind. Time will go marching on, but I Shall stay behind..