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By Ernie McCray
Just turned 75.
As I think about being a year older,
my first thought is
I’m so glad to be alive.
No jive.
On my list of priorities,
breathing is most high,
as I want to take all that I’ve seen,
over the years, with these old eyes,
all the bits and pieces of life
that are memorialized
and analyzed
and crystallized into my being’s archives
and use these experiences
in a constant quest
to stay wise –
because I dare to surmise
that there is no point in being 75
if you’re not wise.
At least wise enough
to know that Fox News
is to news as Polka is to down-home-funky-blues.
Wise enough to know that “terrorism”
ain’t just something that happened the other day
in the dear old US of A,
that it was a way of life in an earlier day
called the “Good Old Days”
and droning children’s lives away, today,
I must say,
is not the pathway
to creating better days
down the road someday.
Wise enough to know
that there often is truth in “We reap what we sow.”
Wise enough to believe
that it’s the epitome of hypocrisy
when champagne is broken to launch new ships
and wine glasses are clinked
and toasts sipped
through celebratory lips,
indeed,
while someone gets cited for possessing
or toking a few grains of weed.
We need a little consistency.
Wise enough to know that, in a world of plenty,
there should be no such thing
as hunger
or a homeless child,
that political posturing
like blustering
and filibustering has no place
in a world that’s gone mad and wild,
in desperate need of something like a “timeout” for a while.
Wise enough to know,
after 75 years of being on the scene,
that I can’t just complain about what I’m seeing,
that I have to be counted
and visibly seen
actively trying to change the scenery,
and in order to do so
I have to be wise enough to know
that I’ve got to keep myself strong
and flexible
and able,
understanding that if I don’t move it
I will lose it.
So I have to walk a few miles
a day,
as I age,
and/or bust a move
to a song
with a funky groove
because there’s nothing like dancing
to spark a nice mood
for taking on all that has to be pursued.
I’m digging the age of 75,
grateful that I’m still able
to get out and exercise
and realize
more and more
that life is to be engaged
with a sense of play,
in a spirit of fun,
having come
to know
that there is no better way
to get the job, of making the world better, done.
Next trick.
Making it to 76.
Ernie McCray
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Ernie, you needn’t worry about staying wise. You are wise and then some. Though perhaps it is your conscious deliberation on such topics that makes you so. Happy belated, and all the best on your next trick.
Thank you, my friend. I’m working on that trick this very moment.
Being 75 is so much better an being 74. There are so many more words that rhyme with “five” than “four”. Thanks for leading the way, Ernie. Happy Birthday.
I hope “six” is really rhyme-able and that I will be rhyming.
Ernie, I love your poem. I just turned 70 and being in this new decade is a bit daunting for me. It sounds OLD!!! Glad to hear that you are still very wise at 75 and out there living life. Cheers! Here’s to many more.
I like the sound of “many more.”
Asante Bro. Ernie for the inspiration and from my 75 years (2/13) to your 75 years, I proudly say: Hotep. Ase. Heri.
And I pr0udly say Thanks and Keep on Truckin’.
congratulations ern old man … oh if only i could be seventy-five once more and know what i know now – wisdom notwithstanding …
your life pal who made the dean’s other list lo those many years – nay decades ago …
stan levin
I want to get as old as you, buddy, wisdom and all.
never mind that ern … don’t sweet-talk me … just tell me how to get as tall as you are (which i was before i started smoking)
Hey, if I hadn’t smoked I would probably be 8 feet tall.
Happy Birthday Ernie!
And Happy it was!
It’s nice to know that there’s someone else out their who likes bein’ alive at 75. You are a real doer Ernie, and I can”t visualize you ever just sittin’ in the old rockin’ chair eking out the days. I really enjoy your poetic wit, friend; please keep it comin’.
If you insist.
Happy Birthday, Ernie!
I’m happy out paths crossed! I love your missives!
You have such insight, grace and power.
Barbara
Thank you. I’m glad that we have this connection.
Hey Ernie… If I can make it to 76 you can….
To celebrate I took a few laps at Barona Speedway in my vintage race car… I knew it was time to go the pits though when a 17 year old girl passed me and showered me with dirt…..
Sometimes “we just don’t get no respect”… : )
I just hope I don’t outlive my teeth…
Dave B.
Spring Valley
You’re my hero. I’m sorry that young “whippersnapper” threw dirt on your parade. She ain’t got no learnin’ (smile). Our goal, now, is to not outlive our molars.
Happy belated birthday Ernie! I’m glad you are able to exercise and take your daily walk.
I hope when I turn 75 in 5 the fruit drink, “Five Alive” will resurface and be sold in stores again.
Willie Horton
Hey, that’s part of the journey: hoping. Five alive could come back to life and if it doesn’t at least you’ll be 75.
WOW! COOL! Happy belated birthday Ernie! Thank you for being a light in my life and in San Diego.
Thank you for being you.
Feliz cumpleaños Ernie, as always I love your words and these ones son de puro corazón.
Just keeping my heart beating.
Happy Birthday Ernie with all of my sincerity – so thankful my path on this journey intersects and is intertwined with yours. You are a treasure!
Many continued blessings,
jacque
Thank you, my friend. I’m glad we Sonorans are in touch with our histories in Tucson.
Absolutely, you keep it fresh and at the forefront – once again, many thanks!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words! Happy Birthday Erinie! Keep celebrating. Keep green and keep growing!
I will surely try.
TO E. McCRAY:
Write on you great sage you! I have been meaning to inform you of a former student (who speaks the world of you), that I worked with, during my last 7 years with the SDUSD at Oak Park Elementary School. He is Carmi Strom, who now is a VP at a local Junior HS. He is a clone of all the positive things you do. I am forwarding him this this post; look forward to hearing from him soon. Later this month I will hit the age of 74; and just like you, each day is never a bore! Keep up your grand scribes, and all is well in good old Arkasnsas.
That’s A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S; My bad!
Oh, Carmi is a great guy. I had the privilege of being at a school where he and all his brothers and sisters except one attended. Wonderful family, the Stroms. Hey, keep Arkansas on its toes.