When I Am Old

A Poem by Kelly Scheppers

...the privilege of growing old.

When I Am Old

When I am old

I’ll wear my hair atop my head

in a Katharine Hepburn fashion.

I’ll rise in the break of morning

with three cats at my feet

watering succulents in the kitchen window

while waiting for my coffee to brew.

I’ll sit at the table like we used to do,

engage in a crossword puzzle or two,

when I am old.

When I am old

my mother’s features

will be my only makeup.

I ‘ll garden in the afternoon

then rest till dinner at three.

I’ll write poetry while sipping a Chardonnay

indulge in a hand of solitaire or two

when I am old.

When I am old

and coloring my hair no longer suits me,

I’ll walk across the meadow, green

where geese and lark take flight at dusk

and the sky is a palate of magnificent hues.

The years like memories will fade

like the light of a falling star.

A calendar of days will hauntingly remind me

that every day

I am one step closer to the other side

where you will be waiting,

when I am old.

© 2022 Kelly Scheppers

Author's Note

The longevity of life was not afforded to my parents and older sister, who each died under the age of fifty. Therefore, it will become a privilege to me, growing old.

My Review

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Reviews

Inessa

I sure hope you age gracefully with that Hepburn hair bun style and not develop her cantankerous temper. That will make for many stressful days when old age is for relaxing and enjoyment. It seems like you have your later life planned out! Now to slowly reach that destination. Try not to get there too fast. From all reports, it's not all days of wine and roses. I enjoyed your words here, Kelly. ❤

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

Thank you so much, Inessa. Good to have you on my page!

Lydia Shutter

A melancholy, but touching, write, Kelly. I had a such a nice image of an older lady doing all you say she is doing in this one. Yes, it is a privilege to grow old even though we sometimes curse ourselves for the aches and pains that go along with it. Obviously you missed your parents and sister terribly. I miss a lot of people too. I picture them together in another universe. Perhaps someday we will all be together. Lydi**

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

I have no doubt, we all will be together, one sweet day! Thank you, my friend!

Arthur Henn

Kelly. Your words are a beautiful picture of growing old. I’m glade I read your poetry. I’m pretty well set up for the next stage in life and reaching for everything you mentioned. I’m bedded in the comfort of retirement and now living in my motherland of four seasons. After reading your wonderfully written words. I reflect on all my past life. A lifestyle of good bad, and ugly. But overall an amazing experience of living life to my fullest! And I finally woke up and found that I like this person I am. I am growing old in the motherland of what my younger years we’re… Thank You! For writing this beautiful piece of poetry!

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

I believe this life is all about the journey of discovering that we like the person we've become. T.. read more

Dave Brown

this is a really wonderful piece
It brings back a ton of memories, some good and some not so.
Speaking from experience, sitting with that special one, enjoying that morning cup of coffee on a warm patio with flowers in bloom and flying friends in abundance is a memory to cherish
But, both of my parents nearly made it to 100, and based on their final years, I don't want to get much nearer than I am now
Your rendition of ageing is a much more attractive option

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

Thank you most kindly, Dave!

Trace

How we plan our golden years is as important as our daily chores.
Greeting each day with hope and anticipation gives us power to control our future.

Love this look into your future plans.
As I grow old, I hope to mirror your wishes with my own desires.

Nice to read you my (not so old) friend.

Huggs, Trace

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

Every time I see you, I am reminded of another time - those Starlite years we shared with poets who .. read more

2 Years Ago

My work keeps me so busy, I hardly find time to sit down at the keyboard. BUT, I really think if I.. read more

Chris Shaw

These lines really touched me dear Kelly. I am old already and enjoying my aging. I especially like the contentment that comes with simple things which you have outlined here. Your final lines, hit home hard today of all days, as I say goodbye to my mum with my family. I am so sorry you didn't have your family for more years than you did. Somehow that must make any memories you have even more precious. I love this poem so much.

Chris

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

I haven't been able to read this through without feeling a lump in my throat, especially the last ve.. read more

Patricia Wedel

Kelly dear... for me... being young at heart... Aging is a time to get lost in a Flower... to let the breeze style my Hair and reflect the colors of a Rainbow. Poetry is very healing and becomes a friend in all the Seasons.
My Mother passed at age 58... so I am aging for both of us. Passion never fades... it just rests until the Spark is ignited and the Fireworks are beautiful as ever. Love the way Katharine Hepburn wore her hair... wind-blown and tossed on her head. She was the epitome of Charm... and so are you dear Poet. tenderly, Pat

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

You grace my page with your presence, Pat. What lovely sentiment! Thank you dear friend!

Cyprian Van Dyke

Sorry to hear that about your family. But I agree with you. Growing old is a privilege. I'm looking forward to, preparing for it. Your poem has such an honest feeling of a flow to it that I admire and the repetitive title makes it so rememberable. So wonderfully explained and expressed. tyfs

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

Wow, thank you so much, Cyprian! And welcome to my pages!

Fran Marie

Sorry for your loss of family love ones
you're so right it's a privilege to grow old
and as old as one get there's always more
to learn and cherish..i like the mention
of Katherine Hepburn ..she was the
epitome of gracefully growing old
with a beauty shining through
a lovely piece of poetry here.. Kelly

Posted 2 Years Ago

2 Years Ago

Thank you, Fran. Your kindness is much appreciated!

2 Years Ago

you're most welcome

Fabian G. Franklin

This was magnificent. It's tender without being too sentimental. I remember reading a poem by D.H. Lawrence titled Beautiful Old Age and how he wrote growing old should be. You capture the essence of his descriptions here. This is such a brilliant piece that I added to my favorites in my library so I might read it again and again. If it had a rating button, it certainly merits 100% for its beauty and empathy of the human condition. This is poetry of the finest caliber. Excellent work and I agree with Ted's opinion that this is definitely a poet's write, in that, only a poet could give it the appreciation it deserves. It certainly has mine! I can't praise this enough. F. Here's the D.H. Lawrence poem for comparison:

Beautiful Old Age

It ought to be lovely to be old
to be full of the peace that comes of experience
and wrinkled ripe fulfilment.

The wrinkled smile of completeness that follows a life
lived undaunted and unsoured with accepted lies
they would ripen like apples, and be scented like pippins
in their old age.

Soothing, old people should be, like apples
when one is tired of love.
Fragrant like yellowing leaves, and dim with the soft
stillness and satisfaction of autumn.

And a girl should say:
It must be wonderful to live and grow old.
Look at my mother, how rich and still she is! -

And a young man should think: By Jove
my father has faced all weathers, but it's been a life!

Personally, I think I like yours better.