Tattered Blue Genes

Tattered Blue Genes

My chromosomes are jumbled up, but

I still got twenty-three

With genes a-plenty, all mixed up

From Ma and Pa, and their Mas and Pas

that somehow make up “Me.”

Momma had blue eyes,

So do I.

Daddy had brown eyes;

Their genes are why.

Sister got the brown eyes, pretty impressive.

I got the blue ones; I think they recessive.

Talkin’ about brains, it was easy to see

I was taller than than them, but uh,

They was both smarter than me.

I’ve managed to get old,

Thru no virtue of my own,

Ain’t no denyin’.

Just the luck o’ the draw,

And I ain’t afraid of dyin’

Just lucky to be here,

Got to be this age,

Tho’ my powers is declinin’

Natural thing at this stage, so uh,

Ain’t no use whinin’.

These genes o’mine will go unsown,

All o’ which, I don’t mind sayin’:

Sweet bird o’ youth has flown.

I’m the last o’ the line

Which I find a bit dismayin’.

Them other people’s genes will do just fine

But my telomeres are frayin’.

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