I saw an advert on Twitter today for an intensive Lindy Hop/Jive session. I'd love to do that but I fear my body wouldn't hold up so I wrote one of my poems instead:
Where are my glasses? It makes me feel sad.
As a youngster my vision was great.
I’d thread needles for Mum and read small print for Dad.
Now those tasks get me into a state.
In the old days I never kept losing my things
And I knew why I’d entered a room
And I’d skip down the road like my feet were on springs.
Now my body has lost all its zoom!
I can’t keep up to date with today’s trendy youth.
And technology changes so fast.
Though I like modern music, to tell you the truth
I’d much rather play songs from the past.
So I live in what is, but I dream of what was.
It’s a common thing. That's what I'm told.
It’s expected. It’s normal. It happens because
We just can’t stop ourselves growing old.
Ah, but we have more time to think ... When we were younger we rushed from here to there without noticing anything much. Now, because we are that bit slower, we can stop - think - smell the roses. That's a wonderful compensation for the other stuff,
ReplyDeleteHaving time to 'smell the roses' would indeed be a luxury right now. Wonder why I'm so busy!
DeleteI recognise myself there! Jo we can't stop to think because the days, weeks and years seem to go by so much quicker.
ReplyDeleteAha! So that's why I'm so busy, time is passing more quickly! Thank you for the clarification!
DeleteHey - you are posting a poem on a blog - that's pretty darn good technology. We do lose our physical zoom, but we have more past to reflect upon and that's okay. As long as we can laugh about it.
ReplyDeleteI know, Joanne. I'm afraid the line about technology was a bit of poetic licence! But the rest of it is just about spot on!
DeleteBut look at you, you can write! I also looked at your previous post and something I have wanted to write about for a while now came to mind: Life of an Immigrant. It was so fun and easy when I was young, it is different now.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of potential writing material in our memories, don't we Inger. If only we had the time to sit down and write about it all!
DeleteI love your poems, Roz. They are wonderful, humorous reflections of life in a nutshell. This one is terrific and so true for most of us of 'a certain age'!.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Val. We do all seem to have similar problems these days, don't we!
DeleteThis is such a great poem that so many of us can relate to! I think you've still got plenty of "zoom" left, Rosalind! Between all your research, your latest book, and this wonderful poem, you also have a zest for life that will always keep you young!
ReplyDeleteJulie
That's very kind of you, Julie. I try to keep myself busy. I think that's the key to maintaining a certain amount of zest but unfortunately some of the zoom has been affected by arthritic beginnings! *shrugs*
DeleteI really like your poems Have you thought about publishing them? When I first went to the optician for spectacles, I could no longer thread the eye of a needle and needed longer arms to read the newspaper.He said that they were the reasons most people came for the first time. I am getting towards the end of my treatment for a snapped achilles tendon-hope I get my oomph and ZOOM back soon.Petra.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Petra. I might put all the poems together one of these days. I've lost count of how many I've written. For me it was the TV screen. I called the repair man in complaining of a poor picture only to be told that it was a perfect picture and maybe I should have my eyes tested! And I do hope you're feeling better soon.
DeleteHahaha .... it's all those technical names: Pilates, Zumba ...they are just as scary as doing the actual exercise. I'm so aware of the bits gradually dropping off, BUT there are loads of good things: time to think, time spent with friends (like you) and just enjoyment of the small things: flowers, kittens and our lovely grandchildren. Growing old needn't be a cause for woe, unless we want it ti be!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more about all those weird exercises. I'm sticking to water for my exercise regime, supports my necessaries and keeps me fit enough. And while we're talking about it, Carol, we really must have another meet-up once the weather improves :-)
DeleteI love your poem... although I'm much happier than I was when I was younger.
ReplyDelete