my dotage

Because of my childishness, I think 
by age 9 I had entered upon my dotage. 
I would dote on the world, people, 
examining, pondering fondly - this 
was a puzzle I could figure out. I spoiled
to get what people wanted of me, so I
could best decide what to give. Which
I never did, figure it out - so I've simply
kept doting! I dote to the left, dote to the right
- people don't even realize that's what it is
I'm doing. I don't think, but I dote, dote, dote 
like a dotard. I am fond of. It's what's always
worked for me. A precocious dotard, but 
I suspect one day I'll find it catching up 
to me. If so, I will greet it 
affectionately.