When Old Men Dress Themselves

~ Joe Neely 
STRIPES AND PLAIDS 
 
It is not a pretty sight
when old men are left alone
 
with no one to remind them
to trim their eyebrows,
          
that white pants should not be worn
with the first snow in the air,
 
that one should always assume
stripes and plaids will clash.

"He dressed himself today,"
the country club ladies say
 
when lonely old men
wander in for dinner
 
but their husbands 
barely glance up, 
 
for some things are not important
until the day they are.

This poem is based on a humorous comment I remember my former mother-in-law making in a country club dining room, circa 1977. I was also inspired by the crazy outfits I sometimes see old men wearing around town. Oh, and then there’s my eyebrows (and nose hairs . . . it’s hard getting old). Happy Holidays to all!

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Published by Joe Neely

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