Ode to (Old Lady) Arms

Prithee, Old Lady Arms, when didst thou

Turn from well-favoured muscle

To waxing flab?

I beseech thee, arms of old:

Fair-faced youthful limbs,

Canst thou return?

There was a time, ‘twas lovely,

When thou wast toned and strong.

Methinks you have forgotten?

And given way to saggy droops?

Pray pardon me,

But why must this be so?

Tis the dirge of years,

I knowst that much.

Whilst timorous days march on,

With an aged baleful wail

Comes waggish faintness.

But always as well, fair prating, 

A sage salute to arms well-used:

A lyric stream – fare thee well! –

To famed hands hallowing:

An ode to love-shaked arms.*

*arms seized with love, aged by love