Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

Age

Age

 

Does it all come down to this?

A daily crossword, an unchecked list

A wish, a kiss and curtain open morning

A body struggling to move, to sit

Without the pain of feeling it.

The struggle dragging on your sock

And watching seconds pass on mantle clock

A life well lived becomes a yawning

As drooping eyes and sagging jaw

Become the life which once was so much more.

The carpet sweeper stands corroded by

And biscuit tin or zimmer frame

Became the props that strut your day

As deeper in the tunnel you disappear,

Face each day the struggle and the fear

Of age, aches and all your life is here,

By lapping fire and soothed by radio four.

Another cup of tea you pour and sip and nod

Your last days away. But say how are you today?

The heart is still so strong though legs are gone

And eyes cry out with pain and every day’s the same.

The inner you is still so clearly there although

So curtained, dimly glows the flame, but you remain

And can and will and shall come again in slow

And cushioned love no matter that you go.

When time has come it may slip by so fast,

But these last months and years give time to dry

Our tears but also smile as all the while

We remember, cherish, value you and all your ways

And care for you in these last golden autumn days.

 

x

◄ Another Cheery Lockdown Poem...

when the masks come off ►

Comments

Profile image

Stephen Gospage

Fri 3rd Sep 2021 16:30

A wonderful, perceptive poem. Thanks.

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Thu 2nd Sep 2021 13:00

To each his own. In my 78th year, I take a more sanguine view of
life and embrace its sensible companion in later years - adaptability. ?

Profile image

Tom

Thu 2nd Sep 2021 10:04

This is beautiful Mike.

Profile image

keith jeffries

Thu 2nd Sep 2021 09:45

A deeply moving poem in which a life is exposed. Despite suffering beauty is also present in a form of its own.

Thank you for this

Keith

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message