HERE'S another anonymous gem courtesy of the Wigan and Leigh Pensioners' Linkline that struck home with me and will with other over 50s.

Join the Club Just a line to say I'm living, that I'm not amongst the dead.

Though getting more forgetful and mixed up inside my head.

I've got used to my arthritis, to my dentures I'm resigned, I can cope with my bifocals but ye gods I miss my mind.

Sometimes I can't remember when I'm standing on the stairs If I'm going up for something or have I just come down from there?

And, before the fridge so often my mind is full of doubt, Now did I put some food away or come to take some out?

It's not my turn to write dear, I hope you won't get sore.

I think I may have written and don't want to be a bore.

So remember I do love you and wished that you lived near, But now it's time to mail this and to say "Goodbye my dear"

I'm standing at the mailbox and my face it sure is red.

Instead of posting this to you I've opened it instead!