Grace After 50 #3

A poem for women over the age of 50

A river gently washes the tears of women over 50

Inexorably cleaning the crevices under sagging skin

Drenched in gravity’s reality.

 

We are the ones left behind

By children grown

Whose schedules press unceasingly.

 

Outlived our usefulness,

With fingers intimate with

Cooking, laundry and the drying of tears.

 

A river of Grace seeps through us

Binding old wounds

Salving new ones,

Its sweetness clearest to those

Most intimately acquainted,

Whose wounds sharpen as days unwind.

 

Let my hand touch the ragged edges of you,

For mine is similar.

Compassion lies in the knowing,

Such knowledge binding us

As we let the river enclose us,

Hold us fast to one another.

Author's Note

I am struggling this this one--this is my third attempt

Reviews

[Baby Ricochet]

Aww. That's so bittersweet.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Baby Ricochet!

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

All is stunning, but that last stanza touches my heart. So beautiful...so beautiful. A "river of grace flows through us" ah, to think that we have learned to love and forgive. You are a master, Audrey...truly.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you so much CAF! What does CAF stand for btw??? You are very kind!

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I'm Claire...those are my initials. I love your work.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Claire!

[FJ Davis]

The third time was a charm!

"A river of Grace seeps through us
Binding old wounds
Salving new ones."

Indeed, dear Audrey, indeed!

[Audrey Howitt]

Hey Frank--Thank you so much!

[SkinlessFrank]

Over 50, but as you say, with special compassion and knowledge gained only through living, cooking, drying the tears of others, and having the grace to write about it in poetry.

[Jibey]

I like the calm wisdom here, the sense of compassion born of experience, of a heart forged into beauty on the anvil of life's blows... Holding fast, indeed

[Kenneth The Poet]

Nice work. This gives into life after a certain age. I'm still finding life even after I thought what was my calling left me, it's weird but exciting.

[OT]

ah I like it!! the wisdom here - "Compassion lies in the knowing," it's a truth for sure! - the river that washes over all!! nice!

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

I agree with Bear, there is much wisdom penned here........

[Joel M Frye]

Keep at it, Audrey...there is depth of wisdom here.