Old Man

Where grass and bending flowers Grew once like the weeds The field empty and barren For lack of sowing seeds

 

The old gray man alone now

attends to his dusty fields

Watering the emptiness

where the land no longer yields

______________________________

He wove his web of fashions

from the tears his pains had sprung

Where once he sang of starlight

back when both their hearts were young

______________________________

Then came the winds a-calling

turned to run a-hoping sure

To reach where she was lying

 sharing pains they'd both endure

_____________________________

The gales did blow around him

precious memories, he'd miss

Drops would fall upon his lips

those that hers would never kiss

______________________________

Where grass and bending flowers 

grew together like the weeds

Lie meadows all but barren

for the lack of sowing seeds

______________________________

The blushing, blowing Poppies

that once grew all around near

Fill the fields with memories

of the love he once lost here

______________________________

Each time he treads on his land

howling, sow-west winds a-blow

Not belonging, feels the longing

 mercy only God may know

Author's Note

I knew a man like this once. His life all but lived. He patiently waited for the end.Which wasn't long in coming. Children give us the legacy that makes the bitterness of our short life more tolerable

Reviews

[Devanshu Rajput]

This is one of the finest piece of poetry that, that I ever came across on this earth. What, flabbergasts me is not only the structure, but the story, that touches my heart.

This masterpiece is like nothing. Your note, deeply moved me. Indeed, kindness and humanity is something that can be felt, by everyone. In a nutshell,

"Compassion is an universal language''

Thanks, for bringing to fore this, piece.

Devanshu

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Dev I thought i had responded to this from you I see i havent.

[Devanshu Rajput]

I'm glad you responded late, because this way, I got to read your piece again.

You're welcome. Take care.

Devanshu

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you young man

[patricia]

Loved the fifth and last stanza the most. Great picture too! Thanks Tate.

[Me]

Nice work. Can't help but sing the Beatles song you borrowed the title from though :-)

[D. Pesek]

it's not often I read a poem on here where I can get a truly great visual, but this one did just that. such a sad little piece, but still written with such skill. Nice work, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Mary Fioratti]

Beautiful poem!
Life must be lived with heart and soul, breathing each moment, and taking a deep breath.
Poor man....alone.
*Mary*

[Audrey Howitt]

Life cannot take hold in barren ground--such a great portrait of a man bereft---

[Kaylor Mason]

Good Lord! That was beautiful and passionate and chilling to the bone all at once. I read it and saw a shadow pass over my grave. God spare me from such a fate!! Please!!!

[light and ashes]

I was drawn to this poem as soon as I read the title because it has the same name as a Beatles song :] I fell in love with the photo and the poem. The photo is perfect for it. That is so sad when someone just takes their life for granted and does not live but only exists. Sometimes we go through so much that we focus our problems solely and forget to live but, just exist waiting for God to take us away but that is the most tragic of situations, becoming dead long before our last breath. This is a brilliant poem Tate, 100. Your awesome.

[Coyote Poetry]

The artwork made the words come alive. I like the description. I became part of this story. Easy to get lost in life or work.
"The gale's did blow around him
precious memories he might miss
Drops would fall upon his lips
that hers could never kiss"
Thank you for the amazing poem.
Coyote

[Becky C Strukamp]

Your representation of this man's life put to words is outstanding. It's as though we are there beside him walking this lonely fields till the end. Another wonderful poem from a remarkable poet.