Archives at Zinester: May 19, 2005 - Special Treat - Debra Shiveley. Storytime

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Special Treat ??“ Debra Shiveley

May 19, 2005

"My get up and go has got up and went." Ever wonder where that saying came from? Many people, such as Hallmark, who have used it put "Author Unknown" but the author has been known to my family for generations.

My grandfather, Homer A. Shiveley lived in Adams county from 1883 until his death in 1943. A hermit in his later years, he sold his poetry to the "Adams County News" for a dollar a poem in order to buy food and clothing. This particular selection appeared in 1939. I think you'll recognize it.

My Get up and Go

How do I know that my youth is all spent?
Well, my get up and go has got up and went.
In spite of it all I am able to grin,
When I think of the places my get up has been.

Old age is golden, so I have heard said,
But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed.
My hair??™s in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,
My eye??™s on the table until I wake up.
When sleep dims my eyes I say to myself
???Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf????

I??™m happy to say as I close the door,
My friends are the same and I think even more.
When I was young my slippers were red,
I could kick up my heels well over my head.
Now I am older and my slippers are black.
I walk to the store and I puff my way back.

The reason I know my strength is all spent,
Is my get up and go has got up and went.
I really don??™t mind when I think with a grin,
Of all the grand places my get up has been.

Since I have retired from Life??™s competition,
I find there is a peace in a new sort of mission.
I get up each morning and dust off my wits,
Pick up the paper and read the ???Obits.???
If my name is missing, I know I??™m not dead,
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed.