Helen B Cruickshank (1886-1975), Angus lass o' pairts, former London civil servant, and luminary of the Edinburgh literary scene, has some indications of ageing to offer in this piece from her Collected Poems (Reprographia, 1971).

A TEST

If, where the beech leaves thickly lie

In golden autumn weather,

You walk sedately, stepping high

Lest you should dim shoe-leather;

Or if you pass an orchard wall

Where apples red invite you,

And never hear the tempter's call

To steal 'just one' incite you;

Or if you bridge a country stream,

Nor lean to look and wonder

If shadowy trout with scaly gleam

Are quivering thereunder;

Or if you hear the night-owl's cry

The woods with echoes filling,

And feel no sense of mystery

Within your bosom thrilling;

Then by these faded leaves of gold,

Ripe fruit, chill waters falling,

You know, poor heart, that you are old,

And owls your dirge are calling.