Wednesday 30 March 2016

POETS UNITED - NINETY

“Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine cushion for old age.” - Booth Tarkington

This week PoetsUnited has as its theme “Ninety”. Here is my contribution:

Ninety

You turned ninety last month
And I can see it in your eyes –
Rheumy and glaucous blue
Revealing all.

The years weigh heavily on your back
And I can see it in your heavy step –
Your tottering gait
So limiting…

You turned ninety last winter
And I can see it in your hair –
White, thinned, still soft,
Like snow.

The years have not been kind to you
And I can see it in your skin –
Translucent yellow parchment,
Where all is written.

Ninety years, a thousand months and more,
And I can see it in your wrinkles –
Each tells a story, sadness mixed with laughter,
It’s been a full life.

And when you speak to me, I listen:
The voice of the last century, still strong and loud;
And when you touch me, I feel:
Your heartbeat, propelling blood we share;
And in my embrace, your frail body trembles:
Your love unchanged, still burning undiminished,
Inextinguishable, a beacon for eternity,
Deriding death…

15 comments:

  1. Cherish the ancient ones

    Happy Wednesday

    Much love...

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  2. WOW! What we see and hear and touch in the bodies and spirits of our aged and aging is strong! Beautiful!

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  3. This is absolutely amazing...!!

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  4. What a wonderful tribute......a description so vivid I could see and almost feel it all. I love the quote about memories being a pillow for old age. That is a good one! Love the photo, too. A wonderful read, Nicholas.

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  5. What a great picture you paint of this ninety year old holding on to the past and to you.

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  6. Beautiful, Nicholas. You carried the thread of this perfectly woven throughout.

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  7. This is a sweet and tender poem Nicholas. Reminds me of my aged loved ones and those who've already left.

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  8. Mind blowing verse...I was afraid to imagine myself at that age.
    I want to die early....without all that pain of living Ninety years
    its really incredible to live up to that age1

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  9. ah...this is so beautiful Nick...ninety is a bridge between past and present...may we all cherish such presence...

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  10. Old age is not easy - in some ways perhaps it is an effort of both mind and body - and that hug seems to say that the soul bears the weight and carries the essence of our being..and if we are very lucky..passes it through the generations - i always love how your quotes enhance your poems too..

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  11. A tender poem eliciting your intrinsic kindness.

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  12. Poignant and beautiful Nicholas!

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  13. This is a beautiful testament to an aging parent ... perhaps gone soon, but remaining firmly in mind and heart. Well done ...

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  14. Beautifully brought out the theme.

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  15. Followed your link "http://nicholasjv.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/lemon-blossom-youth-wolf.html" to read the nice and well informed article...thanks for the link, Nick....

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