Irene at the nursing home

Irene at the nursing home

says cheerfully
I’m ninety nine and a half.
I want a lobster dinner
on my hundredth birthday.

I’ve lived here for six
years.  I love it.
Everyone is very kind to me.
I’m happy here.

My husband was wounded
during the war.  I took
the train to Louisiana to be
with him.  It was my first time
there - I was scared, but I did it.

I’m a true Cape Codder.
When my grandson was in high school
he ran the road race twice
he won a pricey bike both times.

I’m ninety nine and a half
and I want a lobster dinner
on my hundredth birthday.
I love it here. They’ll have’ta
shoot me to get rid of me
she says cheerfully.