I suddenly find my life

becoming my history

That happens

when you reach a certain age

beyond fifty

and so

for my children , and other interested parties

it begins:

I will wear a purple hat

and say outrageous things

I will get a cat

and together

we will grow fat

I will watch the birds

and

plant a garden

of herbs

I will stay up all night

reading

and thinking

when I was young

I had no time

for living