Hi Val, I enjoyed the poetry performances at Butterflies last weekend. Thanks for your comment re Solar Power, it is much appreciated. I have heard Invisible before and enjoyed listening to it again. A lot of poems are more enjoyable when familiar, like music, I can look forward to certain lines. There ahould be more poems promoting or expressing feelings about the over 50s.

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Original item by Valerie Cook

Hi Val... A real issue for many. nicely expressed. Win x

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Original item by Valerie Cook

Well said Val - I confess there are times when I prefer to be invisible, but I'm too noisy to be ignored when I require attention, hehe. Best wishes, Dave

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Original item by Valerie Cook

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your comments.























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Original item by Valerie Cook

Excellent Val. I don't think I can add to the comments here, they've said it all already. And like several others here - I can identify so strongly with this.
Cx

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Original item by Valerie Cook

A very compassionate poem Val.
It reminds me of when my mother in law had a stroke and lost the use of her vocal chords. She often got left out of the conversations. She had a very expressive face which lit up the room once she made it known she wasn't going to be ignored just because she couldn't join in. I have very fond memories of her so thank you for posting this x

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Original item by Valerie Cook

To my mind your best poem yet Val. Great cos it deals with a difficult subject head on - the rawness, the sadness and the bitter truth of it.

Laura is right to say that this problem affects women more than men. I personally detest the way most men seek out women a good 10 years younger than themselves when looking for partners. However, it is a fact of life and just something that us women have to live with.
I've been lucky in that my hair is slow to turn grey - I will probably die it when the time comes cos I think older people do get a tougher deal. If not made to feel invisible they are treated like children - with that smiling indulgence, that they do not deserve.
Getting old is horrid - the same fate awaits all of us - this poem is scary in a way.

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Original item by Valerie Cook

Laura,thanks again.I know I should not rush posting,a lesson learned.

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Original item by Valerie Cook

Wow Val - I certainly noticed you at Hebden Bridge (and wasn't that a rather raunchy poem that you read!) Anyone as lively, warm and vibrant as you (and quite forceful too I would imagine) should always be noticed! I found when I reached 50 I disappeared, unless I made eye contact. And I now wear brighter clothes and more jewellery and stuff and I feel better than before - even if no-one notices!! xx

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Original item by Valerie Cook

This is well-written and thought-provoking, Val. It is a reality which has driven the explosion in the 'image industry'. Facelifts, liposuction, botox, detox, and the rest. Hairdye is just a small part of it. It's a person's right to choose, but I really respect women who stick to their guns and cheerfully go grey.

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Original item by Valerie Cook

This is so sad, but also unfortunately true in many western societies where we do not appreciate and respect the elderly.

I was always close to my grandmother (on my father's side, as I saw her more growing up) and I loved spending time with her and her friends talking, asking questions, and learning from their experiences. I was always her favourite grandchild because I was the only one who would go out of my way to see her, and to drive her places she needed to go... I have always admired and respected older people because they were the ones who contributed to my future.

This is thought-provoking and brought back some lovely memories for me, Val.

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Original item by Valerie Cook

hi val, liked this well written piece

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Original item by Valerie Cook

Hi Val - phew, was worried in case I'd said the wrong thing! Couple more (if you want to get them all sorted, like) - 'My opinions are rarely sort' - should be 'sought'. Also second verse - 'I who still has so much to offer' - should that not be 'have'? There's a surplus comma after 'lips' and 'from on invisible' I think should be 'from an invisible'.

Sorry Val - I wish I could find work as a proofreader cos I always see the buggers!

Back to the poem and away from technicalities - I do like it, and especially so because I haven't read any written by older women about this very subject, a subject all women become very aware of as they age. Having any kind of 'attitude' after the age of 35 means that one is immediately deemed to be a mad old bat, or a 'dried up' mad old bat. I think I might punch the first person that says that to me. Dry that up! :D

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Original item by Valerie Cook

Laura,hope I have fixed them all.
Thanks to you and Stef for taking the time to comment.

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Original item by Valerie Cook

Well! I can see you,and I think you are very nice-as nice as this poem-so there! my best regards-Stef-xx

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Original item by Valerie Cook

I like the sentiments expressed in this. People, especially women, DO start to become less visible to society. That's how I justify getting outrageously drunk in public - keeps me in the spotlight ;)

There are a couple of typos/incorrect words in there that I'm not sure are actually typos, or whether you've put them in there deliberately, in the persona of another ageing woman? I realise that you run a WOL event and have a history of writing so I apologise profusely if I have just put my size 5 in my gob!!

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Original item by Valerie Cook