There
is a special place in my heart
for
the silver-haired
souls
who have seen
and
felt
and
tasted
and
learned so much
more than youth has ever imagined.
I
love the knowing in old eyes,
the
knowing that sings, “Fluidity,
my
dear heart, is a superpower
that
can be learned.
If
you slow down
(just
a bit),
I
will share
all
my old
story
things with you.”
So,
I slowdown my living…
dance
into old heartbeats,
delight
in their story things--
the
ones written
on
the wrinkled sheets of their brains,
on
the tales life carved
on
their faces…
I
feel their old words, taste their ink
and
learn to grow more.
photo by Milada Vigerova on, Unsplash
- someone, who means a lot to me, has been saying that they feel and look old, and they don’t like it; more than that, they’re getting depressed because of it. Another person—who knows my views on age and growing vintage—asked if I could talk to them, maybe help lift their spirit… I wrote this poem with those thoughts in mind.
- for Poets and Storytellers United--Friday Writings #19: Of Age and Aging and Such…
"The knowing in old eyes..." .. there is a price isn't there...to grow and not just age...
ReplyDeleteA price and a reward...
DeleteWe must find joy and happiness in every age, or else what is life for?
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteI always like the thing I heard or read so long ago that I can't remember where it came from – to the effect that it's OK to get old because 'the alternative's worse'. I'm glad to be alive! The fact that I am 82 continues to astonish me; I don't feel the slightest bit elderly! (But sometimes my body gives me a bit of a hint that it might be true.)
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful (and true) saying.
DeleteAnd my body, too, loves to tell stories...
DeleteIt is truly a wonderful poem. Getting old is not fun, and many feel like your friend. It is a matter of still thinking we are young in our brain but the body says, "NO" Thanks for the poem.
ReplyDeleteThen, we shall always remember we're young (inside).
DeleteThe worst thing about getting old is becoming wise If I knew all the stuff I know now when I was young I don't think I could have gone on I don't think youth is wasted on the young
ReplyDeleteI completely agree.
DeleteSuch a lovely poem. So many stories are untold in our modern nursing homes, it breaks my heart.
ReplyDeleteSigh.
DeleteWe must show respect to these trendsetters, making mistakes, getting it right, and leaving legacies
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend Magaly
Much💜love
Thank you, Gillena.
DeleteThis is gorgeous and true, true, true, true.
ReplyDelete😘😘😘
DeleteAh age - sometimes it feels like nothing and other times like everything.
ReplyDeleteIndeed...
DeleteSuch a lovely poem, I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you. Glad you did.
DeleteI do like that I know quite a bit more at almost 50 than I did at almost 20. Some of it is bitter, a fair portion is sweet, but I wouldn't give up that knowledge or the living I did to get it for anything.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you.
DeleteThat is sweet, Magaly. That you would write about the aged in such a lovely manner.
ReplyDeleteLike a friend of mine often says, "Age is a gift. The alternative involves too much not breathing for my liking."
DeleteA simply beautiful poem. I love the knowing in old eyes, too.
ReplyDeleteI do too!
DeleteMaybe I am just a bit of a granny (as I often joke) but apart from the health problems, I have often looked forward to being a crone!
ReplyDeleteYou aren't alone.
DeleteThis sounds nothing of what I've become - a curmudgeon of some sort.
ReplyDeleteYour alternative sounds better, Magaly
Yay, for alternatives!
DeleteI'm glad to be old too, Magaly you tell the aging sooo well. With modern medicine, knowledge, and technology. Like you, we both probably wouldn't be alive, cancer and aneurisms both are killers. I believe I'm the oldest here, 88, and have had at least a dozen virtual friends die on me. Some dear.
ReplyDeleteParts wear, ducts fail, etc., we patch, repair, and replace. And we love telling stories.
More and more of these you may need with time. May God bless you and you have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
..
p.s. My "cake" today is ALL birthday, even my photo. Thanks again for the prompt and for posting.
..
You Jim, are a jewel!
DeleteLove, love, love this. I was always told you're only as old as you feel, and some days I think I'm 102 but for the most part I'm keeping young at heart. And I hope to have many many stories to tell one day.
ReplyDeleteMy body often feels ancient--thank goodness for my soul!
DeleteWanted to check in .. hoping your Spring Cold is long gone now. Looking forward to your next bit of poetry.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Helen, that means a lot to me. I'm feeling much better. Just waiting for the last of coughing to go away.
Delete