I Say

I Say

Now I am old, but I only felt old recently. 

In about four weeks’ time I will be seventy-four-years of age so I have been approaching getting old for a few years,

But, as I say, I have felt old only the last year or so.

Maybe we don’t get old until it’s too late to notice.


When I can’t take a pill to turn back time,

Could I shoot the pharmacist and it not be a crime?

Could I plead ‘age’ as my defence?

No, said the judge! Age is of little consequence.


As many of us don’t notice age as being a consequence of life,

So too we ignore another factor of life.

That’s the one that’s been slightly troubling me lately.

Dying is a harsh word, but ‘passing away’ is –a bit–twee.


Where did he pass away to? A child could enquire.

Did he pass the ball away?

Did he pass time away?

Did he pass away the chance of love?

Did he pass away the knowledge from above?


Is life worth getting old for if getting old holds all the problems of age?

Well, I feel as though I’m not really qualified to answer that 

question. Or, I don’t feel qualified to answer that question.

So, let’s find something where we will be on the same page.


Getting old is great, but then again it’s truly a struggle.

It’s great in so many ways it would take me hundreds of pages to describe all the advantages.

It’s a struggle in so many ways it would take me hundreds of pages to describe all the disadvantages. 

As you can see the two are a balance, in much the same way as all of life has been a balance until that is, you reach that age where there is no more age left for you to age.


Here, I will sign off. Oops, there I go again, using yet another 

euphemism for death. But not in this case. Here, I mean to stop 

giving away what is only my opinion. Others may rightly or wrongly consider 

themselves more learned than me to give opinions on such learned matters.

Give away, I say—It’s better than passing a way, I say.  


© 2023 Daniel Kemp All rights reserved 

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About Daniel Kemp

At the age of seventy-six, Daniel Kemp has started his second year of studying the science of Psychology at the Open University. He is a member of The Society of Authors and also a bestselling writer. However, in early September 2025, he was diagnosed with cancer. He is now in palliative care at home, being looked after by his ex-wife. When he was writing his novels, he enjoyed writing stories that appealed to those who liked challenging themselves to solve mysteries that were set out before their eyes, but they couldn't. His introduction to the world of espionage and mystery happened at an early age when his father was employed by the War Office in Whitehall, London, at the end of WWII. However, it wasn’t until after his father died that he showed any interest in anything other than himself! On leaving academia he took on many roles in his working life: a London police officer, mini-cab business owner, pub tenant and licensed London taxi driver, but never did he plan to become a writer. Nevertheless, after a road traffic incident left him suffering from PTSD and effectively—out of paid work for four years, he wrote and self-published his first novel —The Desolate Garden. Within three months of publication, that book was under a paid option to become a $30 million film. The option lasted for six years until distribution became an insurmountable problem for the production company. All ten of his novels are now published by Next Chapter Publishing Company which has added an edition titled The Heirs And Descendants Collection, which holds all four books of that series, alongside an edition titled The Lies And Consequences Collection which contains all four volumes of that series. He is the recipient of rave reviews from a prestigious Manhattan publication and described as—the new Graham Green—by a highly placed executive of Waterstones Books, for whom he did a countrywide tour of book signing events. He has also appeared on 'live' television in the UK publicising his first novel. Less
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6 Responses to I Say

  1. Roberta Eaton Cheadle's avatar Roberta Eaton Cheadle says:

    Hi Danny, I am not sure if 74 is really considered to be old now. A lot of people live well into their 90s. My own mother is 84 and my aunt is 87. Aging is hard in many ways, you have to give things up because you can’t do them anymore. Everyone needs to feel as if their life has purpose so you have to evolve and find purpose in different things and ways. Walking the aging journey with my parents and other relatives is eye opening.

    • Daniel Kemp's avatar Daniel Kemp says:

      I found out this morning that I’m two years younger than Elton John. At the Glastonbury festival yesterday he sang in at least two keys lower than he has ever sung before, so I’m doing exactly the same. My– Pin Ball Wizard is absolutely flat now but delivered with poise.

  2. Mick Canning's avatar Mick Canning says:

    I may come back to you on this when I’ve given it more thought. I’m ‘only’ sixty eight, but certainly finding I need to make adjustments to my lifestyle.

  3. Daniel Kemp's avatar Daniel Kemp says:

    As I have said, the process of ageing only entered my head in the last year or so At sixty-eight I’m sure I hadn’t been to see my GP, so I thought I was fine. 😛 😛 😛

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