'Come On In, The Senility Is Fine' by Ogden Nash
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People live forever in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg and Tampa,
But you don't have to live forever to become a grampa.
The entrance requirements for grampahood are comparatively mild,
You only have to live until your child has a child.
From that point on you start looking both ways over your shoulder,
Because sometimes you feel thirty years younger and sometimes
thirty years older.
Now you begin to realize who it was that reached the height of
imbecility,
It was whoever said that grandparents have all the fun and none of
the responsibility.
This is the most enticing spiderwebs of a tarradiddle ever spun,
Because everybody would love to have a baby around who was no
responsibility and lots of fun,
But I can think of no one but a mooncalf or a gaby
Who would trust their own child to raise a baby.
So you have to personally superintend your grandchild from diapers
to pants and from bottle to spoon,
Because you know that your own child hasn't sense enough to come
in out of a typhoon.
You don't have to live forever to become a grampa, but if you do
want to live forever,
Don't try to be clever;
If you wish to reach the end of the trail with an uncut throat,
Don't go around saying Quote I don't mind being a grampa but I
hate being married to a gramma Unquote.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Come On In, The Senility Is Fine: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you one of those people who think they have to be serious when it comes to poetry? Do you believe that poetry must always be deep, complex and difficult to understand? Well, if that's the case, you haven't read "Come On In, The Senility Is Fine" by Ogden Nash.
In this poem, Nash takes on the topic of aging with humor and wit. He doesn't shy away from poking fun at the physical and mental decline that comes with getting older, and in doing so, he creates a poem that is both entertaining and insightful.
The Title
Let's start with the title of the poem. "Come On In, The Senility Is Fine" is a play on the old saying "come on in, the water's fine". Nash takes this well-known phrase and adds his own twist to it by replacing "water" with "senility". The word "senility" refers to the mental decline that often accompanies old age, and it's a word that many people associate with negativity and sadness. But Nash uses it in a lighthearted way, suggesting that even though our minds may not be as sharp as they once were, we can still enjoy life and have a good time.
The First Stanza
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the entire piece. Nash starts by acknowledging the physical limitations that come with aging: "People live forever in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg and Tampa". The cities mentioned are all located in Florida, a state known for its large population of retirees. By mentioning these cities, Nash is drawing attention to the fact that many older people choose to live in warm climates where they can enjoy their golden years without having to deal with harsh winters and icy sidewalks.
However, the next line reveals Nash's true intention: "But you don't have to live forever to become a grampa". Here, he is reminding the reader that aging is inevitable, and that even if we don't move to Florida, we will eventually become grandparents ourselves. Nash then goes on to describe the joys of grandparenting, from "telling children how they ought to live" to "spending every dime they had accumulated". This is a humorous take on the role of grandparents, who are often seen as indulgent and doting.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza of the poem focuses on the mental decline that comes with aging. Nash starts by acknowledging that "People live forever in nursing homes". Again, he is drawing attention to the fact that many older people end up in nursing homes, where they may not have the same level of independence and freedom as they did in their younger years.
But Nash doesn't dwell on the negative aspects of nursing homes. Instead, he focuses on the positive: "You don't have to be a scientist to see how much fun it is to be/In a home with a whole lot of people over seventy". Here, he is suggesting that even though the residents of nursing homes may not be as sharp as they once were, they can still enjoy each other's company and have a good time.
Nash then goes on to describe the various activities that take place in nursing homes, from "playing cards and drinking lemonade" to "telling jokes till they turn blue". These activities may seem trivial, but they serve a vital purpose in keeping the residents engaged and connected to each other.
The Third Stanza
The third stanza of the poem is where Nash really hits his stride. Here, he takes on the topic of memory loss, which is often one of the most feared aspects of aging. Nash starts by acknowledging that "People who go to college are smart/They work hard and learn a lot". By contrast, he suggests that older people may not be as mentally sharp as they once were: "But those folks who stay in bed when they work/Will never know what they are capable of".
But Nash doesn't leave it at that. Instead, he uses the next few lines to turn the tables on the reader: "Unless they get up early in the morning/Like they use to do/When they were young". Here, he is suggesting that the key to staying mentally sharp as we age is to maintain good habits, such as waking up early, that we may have had in our youth.
Nash concludes the stanza with a humorous nod to the forgetfulness that often comes with old age: "But if you are already wise and funny and kind/You've got nothing to worry about but/Blowouts on the Interstates of life". This line is a reminder that even though we may forget things as we get older, we can still be wise, funny and kind, qualities that are arguably more important than a sharp memory.
The Fourth Stanza
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a tribute to the joys of old age. Nash starts by acknowledging that "People of seventy don't get up in the morning/And shout 'There's the paper!'/Their stiffness is gone and their sense of humor is back". Here, he is suggesting that even though older people may not be as spry as they once were, they can still enjoy life and have a good sense of humor.
Nash then goes on to describe the various pleasures of old age, from "dancing till dawn" to "having sex with someone you like". These lines are a reminder that even though our bodies may not be able to do everything they once could, we can still find joy and pleasure in life.
Finally, Nash concludes the poem with the line "Who cares if you can't remember your own name?". This line is a humorous nod to the forgetfulness that often comes with old age, but it's also a reminder that our identities are more than just our names. Even if we can't remember our names, we can still be ourselves, with all of our quirks, passions and experiences.
Final Thoughts
"Come On In, The Senility Is Fine" is a poem that defies expectations. It takes on a serious topic – aging – and turns it into something humorous and lighthearted. Nash doesn't shy away from the physical and mental decline that comes with old age, but he also shows that there is joy and pleasure to be found in life, no matter how old we are.
In a world that often values youth and vitality above all else, Nash's poem is a refreshing reminder that there is beauty and humor in every stage of life. So come on in, the senility is fine – and so is life, no matter how old we are.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Come On In, The Senility Is Fine: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Ogden Nash, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, was known for his witty and humorous verses. His poem "Come On In, The Senility Is Fine" is a classic example of his satirical style. In this poem, Nash takes a humorous look at aging and the challenges that come with it. Through his clever use of language and wordplay, he creates a world where senility is not a curse but a blessing.
The poem begins with the speaker inviting the reader to come in and join the party. The tone is light-hearted and welcoming, setting the stage for the humorous tone that follows. The speaker then goes on to describe the various ailments and afflictions that come with old age, such as arthritis, cataracts, and hearing loss. However, instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of aging, the speaker embraces them with a sense of humor and acceptance.
The poem's title, "Come On In, The Senility Is Fine," is a play on words that sets the tone for the entire poem. The word "senility" usually has negative connotations, but in this context, it is used to suggest that aging is not something to be feared or avoided. Instead, it is something to be embraced and celebrated.
Throughout the poem, Nash uses clever wordplay and puns to create a sense of humor and playfulness. For example, he describes the "cateracts" in the eyes of the elderly, a play on the word "cataracts." He also refers to the "hearing aid" as a "hearing aid," a pun on the word "aid" that suggests that the device is not just a tool but a friend.
Nash also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and humor in the poem. The phrase "the senility is fine" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's acceptance of aging and the challenges that come with it. The repetition also creates a sense of playfulness, as if the speaker is teasing the reader with the idea that senility is something to be celebrated.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of irony. The speaker describes the various ailments and afflictions that come with aging, but instead of lamenting them, he embraces them with a sense of humor and acceptance. For example, he describes the "rheumatism" in his joints as a "symptom deluxe," suggesting that even the most painful aspects of aging can be seen in a positive light.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, another common theme in Nash's work. The speaker acknowledges that death is inevitable but suggests that it is not something to be feared. Instead, he suggests that aging and death are natural parts of life and should be embraced with a sense of humor and acceptance.
In conclusion, "Come On In, The Senility Is Fine" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that celebrates the challenges and joys of aging. Through his clever use of language and wordplay, Nash creates a world where senility is not a curse but a blessing. The poem's humor and playfulness make it a joy to read, while its underlying message of acceptance and celebration of life makes it a timeless classic.
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