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I Miss The Man That I Used To Be

 

I miss the man that I used to be

That athletic man that used to be me

For when I was young

I was tireless and strong

I miss the man that I used to be

 

The man I see in the photos of him

I tall and muscular, dark and slim

But this was a past

Forbidden to last

I miss the man that I used to be

 

And little in confidence did he lack

His hair so sleek and Sicilian black

It’s now white and thin

And parodies him

I miss the man that I used to be

 

He’d walk down the street as ladies passed by

And once in a while he might catch their eye

The memory stays

But not nowadays

I miss the man that I used to be

 

I gaze each day in the mirror of lies

A grey weariness now shown in the eyes

No longer the lad

Staring back is my dad

I miss the man that I used to be

 

There’s pride and there’s pain in these memories

As I count the hours to my seventies

With some little sorrow

I fear for tomorrow

I miss the man that I used to be

◄ Fairy Lights

Hey There, Vagina ►

Comments

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John Coopey

Sat 21st Dec 2013 23:09

Thanks for your comments, Frederick.
As for myself, the man I could have been was a pale shadow of the colossus I've become.

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Fkx

Sat 21st Dec 2013 07:57

Excellent poem! For myself I miss the man I could have been and never was. Maybe stuff for another poem. Have a pleasant holiday season. Frederick.

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John Coopey

Fri 13th Dec 2013 23:52

Thanks Steve. We were truly the golden generation - though I'd swop that for being 20 again!

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Steve Higgins

Fri 13th Dec 2013 18:14

Well observed John, the passage of time has its effect on us all,
good one,
Steve

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M.C. Newberry

Fri 13th Dec 2013 14:38

"Nearer dead"? If age is the arbiter then I'm
nearer dead than you! I believe the "number"
is no guide to the wins that life can offer across the spectrum of "age".
I go along with the saying "Look after number one".
That way, you help yourself and make sure you
are also there for others.
Cheers.

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John Coopey

Fri 13th Dec 2013 13:33

Versatile indeed. Of course, Starfish, I did scrape the bottom of the bowl with "Prawn Vindaloo".

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John Coopey

Thu 12th Dec 2013 15:34

Many thanks for your thoughts, MC. It hurts to think that when once I was deadly now I'm just nearer dead!

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Starfish

Thu 12th Dec 2013 15:12

Marauding Vikings, fairy lights and now this excellent, poignant piece. What a varied repertoire.

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M.C. Newberry

Thu 12th Dec 2013 12:00

Time takes its toll but also contributes to the
"sum" of things...you could say it's "balance in
action".
Fit and fast and fancy-free,
Now old and slow and contented - me!

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