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Friends

When I was young and active 

I thought I had lots of friends 

My days and nights were filled with fun 

With friends who shared that too. 

Dancing, swimming and cycling 

Were things I enjoyed so much 

I never thought I would see a day 

When that would no longer be true. 

Friends abounded everywhere 

All happy with my company 

But as time has gone on 

I seem to have lost 

Those dear old friends from my past. 

My health has dipped 

And my capacity has slipped 

To do all the things that I loved. 

I have cut myself off

From my friends from the past 

'Cos I don't want their pity or disgust. 

I took up new hobbies like painting and fishing 

And even tried writing a little 

But then I realised that all these things 

Are very solitary acts. 

No need for friends to do all these things 

I can do them all on my own. 

I thought I was being independent 

But all it has brought is isolation in life! 

My thoughts were 'who would want a friend 

Who is in pain most of the time 

And a grumpy old woman at best? '

My world has gotta smaller and smaller 

Till I feel like I'm only living inside my head!

My life used to have great meaning 

And I enjoyed my life to the full 

Not enough hours in a day 

To do all the things I could do. 

I have days when that old feeling 

Appears just for an hour or two 

And I can honestly say to myself 

Today was a great day for me! 

But I can't work out what brings those feelings 

Back from the past to now

If I could I would bottle it

And save some for future use! 

It would lovely to make new friends 

Who would accept the ME who is me 

Who have no knowledge of my past history 

Who just like me for the now me!

There must be somebody out there 

Who would like a new friend too 

Who feels exactly like me!! 

 

◄ In the beginning

Elf in the shed ►

Comments

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Mon 14th Dec 2015 17:13

Eloquent and honest. The closing lines are very poignant, an excellent summation of the whole theme. There are new friends here, in this environment, and new horizons of exploration of your own writing talents. Are you in a position to join an interactive 'writing group' of any kind, one that stimulates both mind and body? If not, keep posting here, and commenting so wisely.

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JJ

Mon 14th Dec 2015 05:52

Mind stays young as long as it wants to. :)

Our good deeds keeps us alive as long as we want to.

SMILE PLEASE! and DON'T STOP!

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 13th Dec 2015 16:31

A significant difference between the sexes is manifest in
these lines. Man is more suited to the solitary state of
mind - probably inherited from the genetic residue of
old hunter/gatherer days, whereas Woman is, by nature intended, the source of social gathering and nurture.
Today, in an age that permits, even encourages the
solo way of thinking and acting in many facets of life, the
onset of age can be a two-edged sword that can cut
deeply into a need for socialising and these lines elicit
that situation well. I note that my local council goes out
of its way to establish places and events that allow
older folk to enjoy company. Perhaps a good starting
point for anyone seeking that sort of solace in life.

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