The Beauty and Perks of Ageing*

(Ronnie Laws Friends and Strangers 1977)    
      
At half a century or so    
You’re lucky to know      
The difference      
Between love      
And generalized      
Compassion-      
You’re not a      
Naivety*      
Falling      
For the therapist      
Just because      
She shows        
Concern      
For the ethical oath      
She took, a      
Frailty*      
Being      
Led by the hand;      
Mistaking it for        
Some      
United front or a      
Novelty*      
Looking for that      
Ideal      
Gift      
Without      
Any  
Commitment,  
Promise or  
Incentive to      
Ever        
To pay up.