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Open Poetry #49
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2014-05-01 07:14 PM




old age
never believed
I’d live long enough
to talk about it
but I did
most people mistakenly believe
old people
have lost everything
not true
here I am and I say hogwash
(old people can get away
with saying things like hogwash)
and drat (that too)
I maintain old folks
gain things
not lose them
take me for example
after all I am the one writing this poem
I haven’t lost much of anything
that hasn’t been replaced
tenfold
case in point
I like to write poetry
used to have to sneak hours
in the day to write
now that I am old
I have all the time in the world
‘nother case in point
trying to make sense of why
we’re on this earth
it is getting closer and closer
til when I ain’t
that being the case
I quit trying to understand it all
just waiting for the day
all will be revealed
or it won’t
old age
I have such complete
peace of mind
old age
I have gained more than I’ve lost
uh, well, except that little thing called
short term memory

©March 28, 2014 / Jerry Pat Bolton

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

© Copyright 2014 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
1 posted 2014-05-01 07:26 PM


I certainly relate to this poem, Jerry.
                           Ida

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2014-05-01 07:30 PM


I am glad that you do, Ida. Life in the old game isn't quite what I expected many years ago. Oh, I know this peace and serenity won't last forever, there will be trauma I guess, but then I don't know, do I? Whatever comes, let 'er rip.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
3 posted 2014-05-01 09:23 PM


As nice a post about old age as I have seen. Life is good and it is up to us to enjoy the extra years with a smile on our faces. best to you, Jo  
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2014-05-01 09:44 PM


Thank you so much, Jo, for your nice words concerning my poem. You are right, we should live out our remaining years smiling.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
5 posted 2014-05-02 12:23 PM


Well now, seems you've gone and muddied my vision of my golden years. I thought I'd be standing in my lawn, shaking a stick at children, yelling "Stay outta my yard!" So much for getting to be the mean old lady that lives across the street.The only thing I got back 10 fold was the 5 lbs I lost back in my twenties. I hope I can come to a place of acceptance that you have about aging and have expressed so beautifully.

Lori

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
6 posted 2014-05-02 02:02 AM


Lori, we are only what we allow to be in our minds.Smiling and hope is all we have. Jo

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
7 posted 2014-05-02 06:51 AM


Oh, I can see you, stick in hand, screaming like a banshee at the lil chil'rn, Lori. Oh yes, I have that firmly embedded in my thoughts.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

EmmaRose
Senior Member
since 2011-03-02
Posts 1376
Midwest
8 posted 2014-05-02 09:30 AM


Id like to think I am light years from old age, like I have some control over it, and would like to think I do
You poem makes me ponder, I would as you like to go out kicking and fighting it all, I don't want to accept that its over, but if im senile I wont care...so HEY that's the ticket............get senile and Ill think im on COney Island with my mom and dad waiting for my ice cream cone

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
9 posted 2014-05-02 09:37 AM


Heh.Heh That's not a bad way of thinking about things, Emma. I loved Coney Island when I lived up there.

~*~ Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
10 posted 2014-05-02 10:30 AM


Hey Jo,
You make a good point, smiling and hope is all any of us has at any age. And not to worry I was being facetious.

Lori

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
11 posted 2014-05-21 10:28 PM


wonderful thoughts about old age...James
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
12 posted 2014-05-21 10:32 PM


thanks.

~*~ Less depends on the size of the dog in a fight than the size of the fight in the dog. ~*~

Redstart
Senior Member
since 2014-05-16
Posts 535

13 posted 2014-05-22 07:19 AM


So enjoyed sharing your thoughts. The secret of  growing old is to never think of yourself as old. I lost my mother, last year, at the age of 92. She used to say: 'I'm just a 21 year old, with 71 years experience.'
Thank you.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
14 posted 2014-05-22 07:23 AM


That's one way of looking at it, Redstart. Appreciate you stopping by and commenting.

~*~ Less depends on the size of the dog in a fight than the size of the fight in the dog. ~*~

wordancer
Senior Member
since 2000-07-30
Posts 809
VA
15 posted 2014-05-22 11:37 AM


yep, that short term memory thingy.  LOL,  I find I have a heighten sense of time flashing by and by ... Slow down I'm not finished with my merry-go-round yet!  
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
16 posted 2014-05-22 11:46 AM


I hear you, worddancer, loud and clear.

~*~ Less depends on the size of the dog in a fight than the size of the fight in the dog. ~*~

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
17 posted 2014-05-22 12:11 PM


Memory?

You still have that?

Not sure I know what part of the body that is anymore . . . but I'm pretty sure I no longer have it....

enjoyed


j.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
18 posted 2014-05-22 01:57 PM


Hah! I have what I like to call my semi-memory, J. Good to see you.

~*~ Less depends on the size of the dog in a fight than the size of the fight in the dog. ~*~

luminosity
Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813

19 posted 2014-06-06 12:20 PM


lolol, well maybe I have something to look forward to...time to write...sigh...I don't even have time to think twice


loved this!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
20 posted 2014-06-06 12:33 PM


Heh.Heh Thank you very much for your funny comment, it cause a broad smile on my face. I know how hectic it can get, even to folks like me who haven't all that many obligations.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
21 posted 2014-06-06 09:34 PM


Working as a geriatric nurse I see "old age" on a daily basis...things are only lost if you let them be. Ive learned more from by residents with their "broken" minds than I ever learned in school. Lovely to be reminded that age isn't the barrier
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
22 posted 2014-06-06 10:47 PM


Thank you Paula. Your comment did me a world of good. Thank you again.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
23 posted 2014-06-07 12:59 PM


Lol... things do get better with age, especially one's perspective one virtually everything.  You captured this well.

Michael

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