Advantages of Age
You must admit
Old age, in point of fact, is an advantage.
You have no hair and therefore no headache
Over how to comb it – to the back or side,
To make a parting or to go without.
You have no teeth and you are never tempted
To bite off more than you can chew.
Besides, you waste no time with your own toothbrush.
When feet go slow you save on shoes.
You shrink from crossing rapid streams
And take a bath instead
Avoiding all the risks of being drowned
And saving thus your pains.
You don't go chasing pretty girls now –
Your heart may rest.
It's comical, isn't it, watching lads
Waste breath and time,
Wear their shoes out –
Oh, how they suffer when they are in love! –
And all for what? – For pretty misses.
o sum up –
A man would surely not exchange
The wisdom of old age
For all the follies of his youth
If he had any sense.
Albinas Žukauskas, translated by Lionginas Paž?sis
Publicado em 23 de Abril de 2011