Old Timer

I could tell that he was growing old

Just by the stories that he told

I could tell that he was growing wise

Just by the lines that framed his eyes

There was something familiar in his voice

When he said to me that life’s a choice

I knew that we had met before

But when and where I wasn’t sure

He spoke of love that did not last

And told of friends that had now passed

He spoke of life and love and hate

From days of bad to nights of great

He said that I would know some day

How every single hair turned grey

He said a difference I could make

If I just gave myself a break

He said that God was my best friend

That I would find out in the end

We spoke for hours until I knew

That I was familiar to him too

That’s when it hit me, this man I see

Was in the mirror

This man was me

 

Reviews

[a]

Great, i think this poem is really great! It silently plants the whole act into my head and imagination. Very light and at the same time serious with it's hidden message and rhetorical question of meanings. The rhythm seams skillful and fluent, and only in few ranks it didn't fell quite thought true. Overall - a very good dialogue with the reader.

[Stella]

Wow! Great poem! I enjoyed reading it. Thanks! :)

[Angel's Lady]

He spoke of love that did not last
And told of friends that had now passed

And, oh how very nicely you summed up growing older. I feel these words, each of them. Nicely written.

[Brian The Illiterate]

Wow very cool man . I didn't think it was gonna end like that . Well put

[LadyLove]

Very good! This is very well put. I like the ending...total surprise! It is how many of us feel about our lives as it passes. Nice!

[K. Aurora]

The mirror does many things for us. Sometimes it's a perfect way to show us how we see our selves and what we should be doing to better our selves.

A wonderful poem of self examination.

Thanks for the share,
Kansas :)

[Dani California]

Fantastic ML!
Ah yes, our inner voice
which holds the wisdom
to make our next move,
though often we don't
heed to this voice, and
well.... that's when we end
up shorting ourselves and in
misery of sorts. We should
listen to ourselves! We know
which way is the right way,
we just think our other self
has the better itinerary. lol

Awesome work my friend!
It always is...

Thank you :)

[Windy]

What a superb write my friend. Great form, rhyme and imagery. You made this poem turn into a picture in my mind. I wasn't sure what was comming from the title but was pleasantly surprised. I have already read it several times and each time I love it more. From the first sentence you began a journey, kept it interesting and though serious and important you made it an easy, enjoyable read. Well done Mr. L., congrats on another wonderful, talented write. "He said a difference I could make if I'd just give myself a break", so simply said but such deep meaning. You made very valid points into a read everyone could read, enjoy and more importantly understand. Once again, well done and Thank you. ;)

[Beka]

I see it now.
Yes...what a wise old man indeed.
But your only as old as you feel.
If you believe that or not.
I do enjoy this poem.
A kind of reflecting on things.

From days of bad to nights of great

That line.
I know you were trying to rhyme with hate.
But I think that line would be more affective if you had a different word.
But what do I know right? Lol.
Lovely Mr. Lopez

[Carole]

Utterly brilliant, ML. Perfect rhythm and rhyme and carries a wonderful message. Love the twist at the end.

That's when it hit me, this man I see

Was in the mirror

This man was me

KUDOS! Carole

[Mistral Bilgera]

Simple, easy to read, but speaks a ton of things about experience and the wisdom that comes with it. Always an impressive writer, with sensible and sound ideas to share to us. This is wonderful :) Lets me see the goodness of old age that most of us youth can't appreciate.... Thank you for sharing this to me :)