I don't know if the story above is true, but if it isn't it should be. And it is most apropos for me today--my 62nd birthday.
There's no need for me to ruminate, ponder, muse or even mumble--I have done my thinking about aging. And tried to capture some of my thoughts in poetry. So, herewith:
Elizabeth
They say that Elizabeth, that great queen, aging,
In fear of losing her young lover
Banished all mirrors from her sight.
Why seek confirmation
Of what the body shouts
Lines of grief and pain—
Then one day after he was gone
She recalled them—and with looking glass
In hand, she searched her own face
And chuckled. For what? Lost youth? Spent dreams?
How well I understand that search
As I gaze at my own face
And hear my own chuckle.
By Donna F. W.
© April 2006
_________________________________________
Life Blood
To the poet
All things private are public.
Nothing is hidden—
For when you lay bare
The chambers of your heart
Nothing remains to catch the blood
Valves spent
Vessels worn
Blood shouts its tale.
All things private are public.
By Donna F. W.
© April 2006
_________________________________________
Knowing
This is a road on which
The only detour is death.
The body ages undeniably
There is no turning back
So helplessly you watch—
As skin sags
And flesh congeals
But you keep on living
The lure of living is knowledge
In death there is no knowing
So you live because you want to know.
By Donna F. W.
© March 2006
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
I Like It Just Fine. . .
They say that when asked how she felt now that she had reached the "advanced" age of 60, Ingrid Bergman replied: "I like it just fine, considering the alternative."
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9 comments:
And a Happy Birthday to you daughter of mine. How well I remember that day in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Since you have the gift of poetry (A gift I could covet if I would allow myself that luxury) how about writing a sequel to "Knowing", about life after exchanging this land of the dying for the land of the living, one pointing to eterrnal death, and eternal life? Love. Father "C"
I remember how Mother looked at aging – she taught that age is a matter of the mind. I know the body doesn’t always cooperate, but attitude can be everything. I hope I can be like her and you. Happy Birthday, and much love!
Denise
Happy Birthday! It's a very fine thing to grow up, but don't ever get old! :-)
Happy Birthday, Donna! I admire your poetry, especially the line, "All things private are public." Age is only a number. Attitude is everything. Enjoy your day!
Happy Birthday! I like the Elizabeth poem a lot. You can only avoid mirrors and the truth so long. I just want the wrinkles on my face to be smile lines.
Happy Birthday to you! Keep chuckling!
Happy Birthday, Donna! I'm working on a fuller Happy Birthday on my blog. Mother gave me pictures of myself from many years ago: you appear in some -- I'm just trying to digitalize them to remind us of what we once were. Lots of love.
A belated Happy Birthday, Donna! The poems are very nice - very nice indeed. "Life Blood" - powerful. The image of Elizabeth I chuckling - oh yeah, that's powerful too. As one ages, I'm learning, a sense of humor is Essential.
(I'm a technophobe and have intended to have my son link to your blog - I'm clueless as to what wand to wave to achieve that)
Many thanks to all of you, from my father, sister & brother, and all my blogger "friends" who wished me happy birthday.
Let me tell you, just in case I was feeling too friskly, the winter storm that has dumped snow, sleet, rain and snow on us reminds me of my age. I helped shovel today, and tonight, I feel every single year!
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