The Baby Boomers have landed.
They're changing everything.
Grandmas no longer knit,
They are into the "Line Dancing" thing!

Grandpas no longer whittle
nor take a leisurely stroll.
They're pumping iron and biking
They have no time to be 'old'.

The Gray Panthers were a beginning
Seniors taking care of their life.
With organizations and peer groups
With demands, and bargains, and strife!

They fought to continue the advantages
they had worked so hard to gain. 
Leisure time to pursue their interests,
And doctors to keep them from pain.

Money from Social Security
They had contributed all through their life.
Their taxes to pay, what would be some day,
Retirement and the 'good life'.

These cats refuse to be put on a shelf.
To be ignored and patronized
They've banded together with real heft,
To fight society's ills, be advised

Their power is amazing!
Their bond will not be undone
They have the time to 'fight the fight'
To ban ignorance, poverty, drugs and the gun.

Picture the grandmas and grandpas now
Building homes for the hopelessly poor.
Teaching all ages to read and how
To care for themselves more.

Tai Chi in the malls in the mornings
Visiting latch key children after school
Building programs to help unwed mothers
Diets and exercise and a day care pool.

Training our children and future leaders
While learning the latest computer
To volunteer, to assist, to teach
Skills they've spent their life to master.

We are all Gray Panthers inside
just lying in wait
For the days when work is over
And instead of gaining weight.
We will flex our mental muscles
And continue to be heard
for our experience and tolerance 
and mastery of the written word.

We have knowledge in our fingers
We have wisdom in our soul
We have history in our minds and hearts
We're not ready to be "old!"

Dianne Carey is a prolific poem writer.