deepundergroundpoetry.com
Old and Wise...
To be old and wise is the goal of us all.
The experience of a lifetime is priceless
That experience carries a curse of not
being able to change the wrongs we saw.
Young adults are preoccupied with work,
raising a family and perhaps civic obligations.
With those obligations behind us, we tend to
think back to what we could have done differently.
Concerns of the cost of retirement and
necessary insurances dominate the
conversation. Do we downsize, sell
the homestead. What about the possessions?
Then there’s health. Keeping track of a
dozen pill bottles. When to take each,
how many and at what time. Refills,
which ones and when. Which pharmacy?
Needs are fewer as time goes on.
Walking the dog, mowing the lawn are
part of the new normal. Occasional
painting but the days of ladders are gone.
What’s most important is love and companionship.
A fifty year marriage has bonded you.
When you saw her at 16, you loved her
50 years later, when you look, she’s still 16.
But now the ultimate concern is death.
Time is running out. Who will care for her?
The children have their own families.
I pray to live one day less than her.
The experience of a lifetime is priceless
That experience carries a curse of not
being able to change the wrongs we saw.
Young adults are preoccupied with work,
raising a family and perhaps civic obligations.
With those obligations behind us, we tend to
think back to what we could have done differently.
Concerns of the cost of retirement and
necessary insurances dominate the
conversation. Do we downsize, sell
the homestead. What about the possessions?
Then there’s health. Keeping track of a
dozen pill bottles. When to take each,
how many and at what time. Refills,
which ones and when. Which pharmacy?
Needs are fewer as time goes on.
Walking the dog, mowing the lawn are
part of the new normal. Occasional
painting but the days of ladders are gone.
What’s most important is love and companionship.
A fifty year marriage has bonded you.
When you saw her at 16, you loved her
50 years later, when you look, she’s still 16.
But now the ultimate concern is death.
Time is running out. Who will care for her?
The children have their own families.
I pray to live one day less than her.
Published 20th Aug 2020
Author's Note
Old and Wise cliche
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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The author encourages honest critique.
22nd Aug 2020 1:45am
Hmmm...
Have to say well written , though I disagree with much...
My life was *never* like most of what you state :
"Young adults are preoccupied with work,
raising a family and perhaps civic obligations."
Not at all...rarely worked , lived in communes ,
or on friend's land , very rarely worked , hitched
around the country for years...
"Concerns of the cost of retirement and
necessary insurances dominate the
conversation. Do we downsize, sell
the homestead. What about the possessions?"
Never even thought about these things...ever
"Then there’s health. Keeping track of a
dozen pill bottles. When to take each,
how many and at what time. Refills,
which ones and when. Which pharmacy?"
Gave them up , or never took what they wanted to give to me...
"Needs are fewer as time goes on.
Walking the dog, mowing the lawn are
part of the new normal. Occasional
painting but the days of ladders are gone."
Actually , costs far more to live than when I was younger...
Used to run with my wolves , but they are gone now...
Never painted a house , boat , or anything else in my life...
"What’s most important is love and companionship.
A fifty year marriage has bonded you.
When you saw her at 16, you loved her
50 years later, when you look, she’s still 16."
Ah , one line I agree with...
The first line...only that...
I am happy for you you still feel that way...
I gave up on relationships fifteen years ago...
Loved making love , but met too many crazies...
"But now the ultimate concern is death."
Not for me...
The ultimate concern is the acquisition , and dispersal
of great knowledge and information leading to Wisdom...;)
Glad it works for you , however !
We are all so different !
Nice Rendering of the words !
Have to say well written , though I disagree with much...
My life was *never* like most of what you state :
"Young adults are preoccupied with work,
raising a family and perhaps civic obligations."
Not at all...rarely worked , lived in communes ,
or on friend's land , very rarely worked , hitched
around the country for years...
"Concerns of the cost of retirement and
necessary insurances dominate the
conversation. Do we downsize, sell
the homestead. What about the possessions?"
Never even thought about these things...ever
"Then there’s health. Keeping track of a
dozen pill bottles. When to take each,
how many and at what time. Refills,
which ones and when. Which pharmacy?"
Gave them up , or never took what they wanted to give to me...
"Needs are fewer as time goes on.
Walking the dog, mowing the lawn are
part of the new normal. Occasional
painting but the days of ladders are gone."
Actually , costs far more to live than when I was younger...
Used to run with my wolves , but they are gone now...
Never painted a house , boat , or anything else in my life...
"What’s most important is love and companionship.
A fifty year marriage has bonded you.
When you saw her at 16, you loved her
50 years later, when you look, she’s still 16."
Ah , one line I agree with...
The first line...only that...
I am happy for you you still feel that way...
I gave up on relationships fifteen years ago...
Loved making love , but met too many crazies...
"But now the ultimate concern is death."
Not for me...
The ultimate concern is the acquisition , and dispersal
of great knowledge and information leading to Wisdom...;)
Glad it works for you , however !
We are all so different !
Nice Rendering of the words !
22nd Aug 2020 4:47am
It’s easy to write the general and to long to address the exceptions. Having said that I by no means say that they don’t exist... there’s just too many. Great response, thanks! A.
