A scary place, this aging body
on a beach of shifting sands
passing youth jogging memories
of moving – mindless, confident, fluid
towards mundane tasks and lofty goals.
A scary place, this aging body
unsure of its place in space
Not responsive to primitive memories
of ways to navigate the bumpy plains and
slopping stairs to life’s rewards.
A scary place, this aging mind
Attentive of impending declines
that inflate the memories of agility
Leaving this aging body vulnerable
as we hold hands and totter forth.
I enjoy reading the poetry of Jamie Dedes, but today she pulled me in with her prompt. She invites us to:
Write a poem that juxtaposes a fond youthful memory with your current place in life. Â See if you can do it in brief. Brevity often lends itself well to clarity and deeper emotion. (J. Dedes, The Poet by Day: For Mrs. Whitman – A Poem, 11/16/16)
I couldn’t resist her invitation. I won’t link to her blog, however, because I don’t consider myself a poet and know nothing about writing poetry. But I have the photo from my time on the beach this morning, like brevity, and know how to make it look like poetry. Anyone out there who would like to hold hands while we go for a walk in the unknown future?
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
Beautifully expressed, Pat and the photo backs it up. I once thought a poem was only a poem if it rhymed but there are a gazallion different structures to hang the words on. I had a bit of a dabble with haiku this year. It was a challenge, but creative.
LikeLike
I just bought a book on writing poetry. What I have read so far is interesting. Thanks for the visit and the kind words, Christine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you are allowed to invent your own structure, anyhow. Creating word pictures with your mind is good for the soul, methinks. I enjoyed my visit and will try to visit more often. Loved the photos and your heartfelt thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll hold hands. 🙂 I prefer the hard packed sand which helps my back, and my left knee is bothering me a little right now so there’s that but I’m game. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah…thoughts entertained in many of our minds these days…at least in this aging body of mine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, I just came across your site and will be a visitor. Nice to read your thoughts.
LikeLike
Welcome – so happy you found me. I hope you find things to make you feel good and to get you thinking. I also hope will share your thoughts with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I barely remember a working body! Still, each year I lose more. Just learning gratitude.
LikeLike
Yes, learning to focus on what I have instead of what I don’t. And I have so much!
LikeLike
I never truly understood when my dad would say “I feel so young up here”, while pointing to his head – but I definitely have a better understanding now.
LikeLike
I hate that I feel like I can relate some days. Love the good days. Hey! Isn’t any day near a beach a good day.😊
LikeLike
Forgive me for what follows, but I could not resist. I love limericks, have been known to pen a few. So with apologies to Ogden Nash, here is my shot on aging, ( maybe not to gracefully).
This once was a body I knew,
That could dance away on cue.
But now I just totter
While passssing water,
Depends, someone said are for you.
Enjoy. Cheers
LikeLike
LOL – limericks are so much fun. Maybe I’ll try writing one soon.
LikeLike
I wish you had linked. You are a poet. By whose’s definition are you not? Some old idea from school perhaps or maybe measuring yourself against the Greats? Writing a poem makes you a poet. Many can’t.
I also am attracted to this challenge. You write of the problems of age well. Walking on sand can get tricky.
I will try and find the challenge. I would like to respond too.
LikeLike
Suzanne, thank you for your confidence in me. I honestly don’t understand what constitutes a poem. The link to Jamie’s post in at the end of her quote on the bottom of my post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I found it and went to the site. I haven’t written anything yet though. I will have to think on it. 🙂
LikeLike
beautiful poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What makes words strung together a poem?
LikeLike