"The mere dates of my existence do not interest me, except in one connection. When the Great War started I was too old to be acceptable as a volunteer; when conscription followed I was too old to be conscripted"

This quote by Laurence Housman speaks with the idea of age and its ramifications. He is saying that the dates of his presence, or his age, do not matter to him, except in one specific context. That context is the Great War, or World War I. He was too old to be accepted as a volunteer, and when conscription was introduced, he was too old to be conscripted. This quote talks to the concept of ageism, or the discrimination versus individuals based on their age. It also speaks to the idea of the power of age, and how it can limit one's chances. It is a reminder that age can be a barrier to specific opportunities, and that it is essential to acknowledge and respect the power of age.