When I am Old

Pondering old Age

When I am old, senile and gray.
My trousers rolled watching grandchildren play
Will I look back on time's advances?
Did I follow through with all the right chances?
Should I have eaten peaches from other trees?
Tried all of nature's different things?
Shaken them all with greater ease?
Or was my path the one for me?

The waves are pulling me to the sea, and I embrace the coming tide.
Aging is not just  growing old,  not only getting ready to die.
It's looking back on decisions, without time for end revision.
A term paper due, without extension.

But when I'm old I will be scared, and completely unprepared.
My tears will fall down my face, vulnerable, aware.
Passing through each wrinkle without a hint of that known grace.
And my bones will wither gradually, until death ends its chase.

And when I finally go to sleep, peacefully, eternally
The grass will be a pleasant green, the water so inviting
and
Then I will walk along the lukewarm sands like I did as a young man.

Author's Note

I use a bit of T.S Eliot's symbolism, (Peaches, trousers, ect.) I just wanted to give credit to him for putting those symbols in my head with "The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock" (My favorite poem)

Reviews

[Allen Smuckler]

24 eh....
pretty damn astute for a 24 year old...in addition...
Some of the most creative and insightful lines I've read in some time...
I don't know how close you were to T.S.'s peaches but "Should I have eaten peaches from other trees" is one of the great metaphors dealing with past and lost decisions of one's live.
"A term paper without extension"...as we slowly ebb and gently flow from the seaside of our life....
These are words far wiser than a 24 year old, Miles....or an 84 year old for that matter.
I just loved the wisdom you brought forth with every stanza, every line, every word...truly one of my favorites...
allen

[MOON]

Hi Miles, you used all the symbolism to beautiful effect. I love the rhythym and the content . You wise beyond your years.

[GTVile]

You have a way more mature outlook on aging than I do. This was very sincere and thought-provoking, and gave me a bit of hope. So your hope to impart with people something to take with them was fulfilled. Very good job. This is the best approach to aging that I can think of.

[sushi]

"And when I finally go to sleep, peacefully, eternally
The grass will be a pleasant green, the water so inviting
and
Then I will walk along the lukewarm sands like I did as a young man. "

Beautiful write...

[Everson Taveras]

"A term paper due, without extension" Powerful stanza!
Looking back, how contemplate the worthiness of the life you lived and if you truly lived it to your greatest potential, is absolutely scintillating. Well done. Thank you for sharing this

[LoveYourself]

This was a nicely written poem Miles :) I enjoyed the read. It was very interesting! Keep writing! I can't wait to read more!! :D
~Missy OwO~