WHAT'S IN A NAME ?

It surely seems funny when a 98 year old man goes to school.
Would not most people think of him as a doddering old fool ?
Well, as it happens, I now put myself in just such a position-
and, believe it or not, I am proud to put myself on exhibition.

Blessed with a still able brain to absorb knowledge at this stage,
it is such a miracle that I can still crack a schoolbook's page.
But, should you ask me to learn a poem and recite it by heart-
it is impossible - I forget your name minutes after we do part.

The mind is a wonderful thing, it does grasp any situation,
if you can cite past experiences, you can age with determination.
Wisdom is acquired by training, you can react to many things-
yet, then again, there is the desperation a loss of a name often brings.

Many a time I have to admit that I am really so very ashamed
when I know the person I talk with and the loss of a name is blamed.
Yes, I know, I am not alone in this regrettable failure of recognition :
when only my years can excuse this lapse and it fills me with contrition.