My Sixtieth

My Sixtieth

By George Amadi

I won’t be dining on my street of busy-bodies

I haven’t big plans

For my Sixtieth

I won’t be hiring a popular costly orchestra

I haven’t big plans

For my Seventieth

I won’t be wining and dancing all night long

I haven’t big plans

For my Sixtieth

I won’t be expecting car gifts from rich folks

I haven’t big plans

For my Sixtieth

I wasn’t a political god-father at 60

I haven’t big plans

For my Sixtieth

I wasn’t elected a state governor at 50

I haven’t big plans

For my Sixtieth

I wasn’t swimming in money at 40

I haven’t big plans

For my Sixtieth

I wasn’t a university professor at 30

I haven’t big plans

For my Sixtieth

But a new day takes night’s place

And I’m a decade older

With a life of drudgery behind me

And little ventured

Far less accomplished

This wasn’t what I had hoped for

Nonetheless, fate’s been good to me

And by Jove

I wouldn’t have it any other way

Lagos, May 24, 2006