I guess it happened some time ago.
I have been seriously demoted
as a citizen.
Just that no one had informed me.
Truth is that I have been
of the lesser status
for some time.
That made the hurting cut deeper
when I did find out.
Simple truth is that when
you are a senior
you can no longer have
the respected rank of adult.
I learned this terrible truth
on the day when
I went on line to
buy my airline tickets.
I had lots of boxes to check
and fill in.
I knew where I was going and when.
I knew when I was to come back.
I spelled my name correctly
and knew my address.
When asked the number of passengers
I got it right.
One adult, of course.
One senior proudly!
Then came the bottom line
I had a problem.
I was asked to pay for the adult
and the senior.
I puzzled on this for some time.
According to Southwest Airline
I have to be either
an adult
or a senior.
For years I have prided myself
on my adultness.
My children agreed I was indeed an adult.
Although they called it "stuffiness"
Now to retain this hard earned rank
I had to pay extra.
Now who ever would have though that
in addition to the hard pain
of becoming and retaining adulthood
one had to pay a premium.
Eighty years old and my rank
is lost!
I need not have had Scottish
forefathers to humble myself
and honor my pocketbook.
I sat on that plane wondering how
a senior asks for a Bloody Mary.
Humble, mumble I guess.