The day I've long awaited
Is now but barely past.
You all have told me "Life Begins"
Now tell me "Does it Last"?

From this great curiosity
With which I have been cursed
Will some Kind Soul confide in me
And let me know the worst.

Will I, with silver in my hair
With dragging steps, and slow,
My aging carcass haul around?
Or with a Hi-di-Ho!

Will I go sailing down the years
With vigor and with zest?
Speed on my way, undaunted,
Will these years be my best?

Somehow I think it's all a joke
For life, to me, seems swell-
I'm fair, and fat, and forty
But I never felt so well.

To give a word of sage advise
I really feel I should-
Since "Life" is what you make it,
You had better make it good!