Missing Youth

Have you seen it?

 

Have you seen my missing youth?

The one I've always had?

With no goodbye, it just went poof!

And fled like blowing sand

 

Just yesterday, or day before

I climbed the tallest trees

But now the steps to my front door

Cause creaking in my knees

 

All throughout this place called home

Someone goes to town

Sneaking in while I am gone

And moving things around

 

Is that mirror on the wall

Haunted by some geezer?

That’s not my face, after all

With eyebrows needing tweezers

 

I can hardly reach my toes

When trying, I abort

Some villain’s work, don't you know

That made my arm grow short!

Author's Note

This is what'll happen to ya if you insist on waking up every morning.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I found your missing youth. It's in my baby daughter's eyes. It's just the cycle moving forward you understand, it's nothing personal...we have to grow old...die and leave our thoughts behind hoping someone will find them worthwhile. It's what poets and storytellers do. I think it's a better legacy than many...but children are our real legacy...inspire one and your life was not spent in vain.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Fabian, You're right, of course. I see it in my grandchildren. Growing old can be a beautiful thing.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It's easier when you start with a beautiful soul like yours my friend. God bless you and yours.

[Kelly Scheppers]

We really do need to feel blessed to have such days afforded to us, when there are so many lives that have been denied such a privilege for longevity. I think this, above all, shows your sense of humor. I mean, if we can't laugh at ourselves, how sad can we be?

Always a pleasure, Sam!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Yes, with my long battle with heart disease and advancing age, I do feel fortunate to just to roll out of bed each day.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Bless you, Sam. I wish you the best and hope you'll continue to grace these walls at the WC for years to come!

[barleygirl]

One of the best poems I've read about aging! This is fun & playful, yet we old farts know there's a deadly serious note to each of these observations. The strength of your message is in the delightful examples you select & then how you imaginatively portray them: Climbing trees/creaking knees . . . not remembering where things are . . . & best: the geezer in the mirror with bushy eyebrows (for me, it's the long black hairs that sprout on my chin, I thought I just got rid of that one, when did it grow back again so long?) This is hilarious & precious at the same time.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I'm hoping all the negatives of aging will eventually make us something great like fine wine. So far, I think I'm more akin to old, moldy cheese.

[barleygirl]

You're sparking the idea of a poem in my mind now . . . how can we describe the virtues of aging without falling into the old boring "fine wine" analogy? I definitely prefer a bit of blue cheese on my salad! *smile*

[barleygirl]

Definitely worthy of a re-read! Loved it even more the second time around, a year later, becuz I feel about five years older now! Very playful & sassy (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I feel about a decade older now.

[James]

This is great. It's fun and telling. Age sneaks up on us, one day we climbing trees and playing in the rain, the next we are trying to figure out where all those grey hairs and wrinkles came from. You joke about your arms getting shorter, I joke about my wife shrinking all my pants in the waist.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, James. Yeah, my wife shrank my pants and hers, too!

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Absolutely delightful, Sam! I love how you come through with humor and wonderful rhythm and rhyme! As you mention in your note...getting older is what will happen if we are blessed with another sunrise. You do marvelous poetry! Do more. :)

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I'm a "Mary had a little lamb" kind of poet, but hopefully can still tell a wee story.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

You are humble, and indeed, you can certainly tell a story!

[Roxie M]

You have delightful rhythm and rhyme with a little rock and roll! Keep waking up!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Roxie. I don't write many poems, so I'm glad you like this one.

[Roxie M]

When you do, let me know, I like your poetry, too.

[J. J. Nightingale]

I LOVE this..You always bring a smile to this OLD face..
I used to stay up all night in Vegas..
Now I lie down at 8PM ....LOL AND TAKE MY MEDS..
If I can find them after the Gremlins move them about....

So Good....I can RELATE !!

Jazz...:)...ZZzzzzz

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Jazz. Yes, you know what it's like.

[J. J. Nightingale]

You are welcome Samuel..........................J.

[Indra Neil]

thoughts, feelings and emotions regarding old age are excellently conveyed with wonderful rhyme flow! i like how you have blended wit in this fine write which makes it an interesting read! well done!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Indra. I'm happy to know you enjoyed it.

[Indra Neil]

You are most welcome!

[Woody]

haha hilarious one Sam. love it. and the note!
reminds me of a joke.
"darling what's the name of that German guy who keeps hiding my things?"

[Samuel Dickens]

I'm glad you got a laugh out of it. For years now, my wife has been accusing me of hiding her car keys. (Or cell phone, the book she was reading, etc)

[Woody]

I empathize Sam. my wife says I keep hiding her wig. women!

[Dara]

This really brought a smile (and a sigh for it happens to us all) Simply loved this poem Samuel.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Dara. It beats the alternative, I believe.