The Waning Years

Uncle Ben

The waning years left me lost tears

for brethren I have loved so long

Remember days of childish ways

 taste of life was sweet as a song

 

Winds that blew, as they always do

from youth I saw in my mirror

A pale gray face, lie in its place

 old folly of years grows clearer

 

I laughed and played, as youth had stayed

duty could wait, while time was free

Time was my friend, though in the end

pain overcame what life left me

 

Author's Note

So often is this truth that we all dread the knock of the door.
For life's time waits on none of us
it masters fate with earnest callous
Caring for none in favored mercy
helping not whom it shows malice
Let us not seek reward in the end for deeds we should do by conscience. Let us instead stive to be fondly remembered by those we love.

Reviews

[bluessadmood]

This is so lovely my friend,lovely and sad..but i think it should not be..or is it
years left so many tears,those days of childish ways
life taste both sweet and bitter,the winds always blew
and i always looked the mirror,see two faces young and aged
I laughed for youth made me look like a fool
thought life could wait and time was mine
a friend who always tricked me to the end
pain always was my friend..pain always stayed with fools
You dont know how I enjoyed this..this was so great writing
but i dont think its that bad..fools also enjoy their life..pity
lovely write..

[Jack...]

Pretty cool there Mr. Tate and that mirror...oh boy, I barely recognize who I see.

[Constance Payne]

Very interesting
I love the chosen photograph, there is such knowledge within the eyes of the old man yet such a longing for a time gone by.
Nicely Done

[An owl on the moon]

There is a beautiful agony here. The sweetness of youth melting into the sunset of days.

[Marie]

This is beautifully formed and could be a song...perhaps it is?

[Kenilo Kent]

Awesome.

[K. D. Kromminga]

Hmmm...Wondering if this was almost an example lesson to show somebody how to write this style of cadence and verse? Do you teach poetry as well as write it friend? I think all of us have some regrets that we didn't take life more seriously while we were younger, and not accomplish more. What would life have been like if we didn't have the carefree joy of youth? Endless drudgery from birth to death? Would we have lasted long without something to hope for, or would we die younger? Hopefully we allowed ourselves some joyful moments sprinkled in with the rest of our lives to help keep us a little younger for longer.

[Becky C Strukamp]

I enjoyed that you gave insight to how it was created. You structured it beautifully. As I read memories poured in, in remembrance of those playful days so many many years ago. The innocense of time. Not a care in the world. A beautifully written poem Tate.

[Holly Mason]

past and present makes the reader reflect on their own life so very lovely
and very creative you have an inspirational purpose truly
thank you for sharing

[Leslie Philibert]

Good idea with the syllable count in the first verse, original, so lots of originality here.