Life Lived

Life Lived

Artwork by / Andrew Wyeth

 

 

 

life lived

bequeaths to us

more than wrinkles and gray hair

more than aches and pains

forecasting a probability

of rain

 

it exists of hand crocheted blankets

and grandchildren,

with past generations of heroes of war

all in matted frames

sitting atop a Steinway piano

gathering dust and a funeral of tears

of life lived

 

an accelerating loss of memory

abruptly intercepts the coming of golden years

depleting all recognition

of once familiar faces

now  stoic

by the inventory of a stare

 

years accumulate like winter snows

and i buried deep

in its repose

 

of life lived.

Reviews

[Laz K.]

"life lived
bequeaths to us
more than wrinkles and gray hair"

It is a profound realization when one really comprehends one's mortality, but at the same time the fact that inside the mortal frame there's something that transcends that which decays and dies.

I agree with the many commentators below expressing their admiration of the vivid, deeply touching imagery present in the poem.

[Kelly Scheppers]

That's more than I could have hoped for. Thank you, Laz!

[carl]

I found your words of review very meaningful and encouraging -carl.

[NormaZ]

I am not there yet, but getting closer to the wrinkles and gray hair! I loved "funeral of tears", what life is led that there aren't any tears? And the image of the piano with the portraits. Beautiful poem.

[Kelly Scheppers]

As I wrote this, I wanted it to become a piece of the fabric of everyone's life, not just mine. Thank you for acknowledging that. Good to meet you, Norma!

[Ken Simm.]

A beautiful still life of a poem. Saying so much that is true.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Ken. It was a wonderful piece to write!

[Neville]

Upon my very word .. there is no doubt about it Kelly, you have just turned the inevitable into something sorrowfully beautiful .. A life lived long, full and well methinks .. and stunningly depicted .. Neville

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you most kindly, my friend! It means everything to me!

[carl]

Beautiful work, I can relate to many of those lines (turning 82 this year). Probable my age effects my reading, but a somber "buried deep repose" is exactly what your words elicit from me. A very fine piece of work, thanks for the post - carl

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am touched by your response, Carl. You'll never know how much it meant to me that you enjoyed this! Thank you!

[carl]

very welcome, it's a fine piece of work

[Alla Antsis]

Kelly,
Youth leaves without saying goodby. It is so true....And yet we are so lucky to be able to catch the older years as many of us do not have the privilege because of wars and atrocities.....
Come to check my sad poems about war today.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you most kindly, Alla...and welcome to my page. I will.

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes dear Kelly. We can't stop time.
"years accumulate like winter snows
and i buried deep
in its repose
of life lived"
The above lines are true. With old age. Everything falls together. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, John. Many blessings to you!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Kelly.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

And yet, here I am, dreading 30. Depends on how well a life you live to consider it a gift or a curse.

Lovely reading you, as always, Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Oh, to dread 30! It's a piece of cake...enjoy! Thank you so much for your visit!

[Sami Khalil]

Title and poem are soooo good. Aging is natural, but some people add layers upon layers and make themselves age quicker. As youth has its privileges, old age has its too.
God help us though.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Sami! You are such a pleasure to see here!

[Sami Khalil]

You too. You are welcome