Those Old Wives Tales Poem by Paula Glynn

You'll get sick if you go outside in cold weather with wet hair
Never true bit it shows the myth believer cares
Even though this a false belief
Drying your hair before you go out into the cold is a relief
At least you're at less risk of sickness
In the cold, winter months where you have to take care.

Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis you must understand
Is an old wives' tale that means nothing
Your knuckles safe even when cracking
Arthritis not a danger no matter what is said
So sleep easy in your night-time bed
Only a feeling of weakness in your hands.

Wait 30 minutes to swim after eating to keep you steady
Far more true than you might conceive
This old wives' tale you must believe
Swimming on a full tummy painful
Best waiting until later and writing your term paper
Forgetting about swimming until you're physically ready.

A little 'hair of the dog' cures a hangover
A hangover the curse of a good night out
A mimosa or Bloody Mary during brunch
Getting our heads and stomach ready for lunch
Our hangover easing as the day goes on
Where we tolerate our night-after and try to be strong.

Sitting too close to the TV will make you go blind
No truth to this old wives' tale that tricks the mind
The eyes getting eyestrain from overuse
But as long as the eyes aren't abused from lack of sleep
There is an excuse to enjoy watching TV
And let that old wives' tale make you realize you're able to see.

Breaking a mirror resulting in seven years bad luck
But only seven hours if you leave it smashed
A true story: a woman did this and knew a curse
Having seven hours of bad luck life being worse than worse
But after seven hours the curse ended and there was no more
The woman never again getting a mirror crashed to the floor.

Black cats are unlucky: a completely false old wives' tale
Black cats never causing a divorce or other troubles
Black fur a genetic trait not a witchcraft trait
Black cats with a lucky fate and generosity to relate
Black cats caring with their affectionate sharing
And their bond with us nothing to do with witchcraft.