En.Citatepedia^®.ro

What on Earth Is That 'Old' Man Thinking?

I can no longer camouflage my aches and pains.
Or hide them behind grimaces...
Through smiles to mask.

There are some tasks,
Aging limbs can not publicly pretend to do.
Like walking with a swagger,
Past a sweet young 'thing'.
Who says within listening distance...
'What on Earth is that 'old' man thinking? '

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Overnight Aging That Arrives

Ugly doesn't seem to care,
How early in the morning it is found on one's face.
And the entire body,
Feels as if it is being renovated.
With a work in progress taking place.

This aging process is done with more than just grace!
First a reaquaintance slowly begins.
To introduce a youthful mind,
To the 'vessel' that mind refuses to be trapped in.

Then an acceptible reality is encouraged,
With a tolerance one has to respect.
If this is not done with a kindness that reflects...
Folks who happen to see you publicly,
Will say what is believed one expects...
'You look SO good!
For 'your' age.
Not at all like you're ready for the grave.'

~Uh...
Thank you!
For the compliment?
I know what you meant.
I guess.~

And one feels inside someone has lied!
Especially when one knows how long it takes,
Of late...
To get ugly from taking a much longer ride.
With a regimen of ointments and pain killers,
To mask those aches one does not pride!

In the mornings when it is no longer safe,
For even one to find a place to hide...
From the 'overnight' aging that arrives!
And the time it takes for those aches to subside.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Only The Ones Who Continually Count Their Blessings

Why is it when one is young,
Aging is something believed...
No one wants to get done.

I've had my share of bouts with doubts.
Praying my advancing age...
Would not be so obvious.
Or in public be announced,
To be shouted out.
As I made attempts not to appear,
Like I was not experiencing a mid-life crisis.

But,
I've earned this.
I had to awaken to admit it!
I've EARN THIS!
Every bit of it and proud.

I have managed to do some things I dared.
With challenges and obstacles,
To prove a faith had pulled me through...
Mucho grief!
With just some of it shared.
Not all.
I don't want to scare the few people I know,
Away!
There's already been an acceptance,
Of my mentioned dysfunctions.
Why blow it on a 'show and tell' demonstration?
Some boundaries should be kept limited.
And imagined.

Why is it when one is young,
Aging is something believed...
No one wants to get done.

I've had my share of bouts with doubts.
Praying my advancing age...
Would not be so obvious.
Or in public be announced,
To be shouted out.
As I made attempts not to appear,
Like I was not experiencing a mid-life crisis.

I use to fear aging before I understood it.
Only the ones who continually count their blessings,
Can appreciate a few aches and pains...
And associate 'that' with being grateful to feel them.

Only the ones who continually count their blessings,
Can appreciate a few aches and pains...
And associate 'that' with being grateful to feel them.

And I'll keep that repeated to myself,
As a reminder.
Sometimes this self motivation business,
Does get old and tired.
But a blessing to live to get done.

You never know who's listening,
When confessions are being made.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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You Don't Mean A Thing To Me!

'You don't mean a thing to me! '

Is that the message you want me to receive?
But each time you chance to see me publicly...
Your eyes begin to dance.
And that smile you try to hide from me.

'You don't mean a thing to me! '

You act that way in a crowd on the streets.
And when I pretend you are not there,
I 'feel' you secretly taking a peek!

'You don't mean a thing to me! '

You may say that to yourself frequently.
But each time my phone rings,
And I am at home
You hang up to leave me,
Listening to a dial tone!

'You don't mean a thing to me! '

Who are you wishing to convince?
Is this what you want me to believe?
Then why when my birthday comes around...
You send me a card signed...
'It's me, anonymous.
I am 'back' in town! '

'You don't mean a thing to me! '

Who are you really trying to fool?
Me, your friends or family?

I am told by others,
You actually ask about me.
And they tell me you act jealously,
When I'm with someone else...
Having fun and being carefree!

'You don't mean a thing to me! '

Is that the message you want me to receive.
But each time you chance to see me publicly...
Your eyes begin to dance.
And that smile you try to hide from me.

If what you show is not a true feeling at all,
Why even bother to sometimes call?

'You don't mean a thing to me! '

When that time comes...
And you find me in your heart,
The only one left...
You have not chased away,
From the start.
I will not be stunned,
Not one bit.
To discover you admitting...
You have a love for me that has been sitting.

But unlike you...
From the very beginning,
I'm not fearing to be near...
So you can hear these words clear,
~It's me, I love you.~

'You don't even know me! '

~I know.
But something tells me,
I will.~

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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My Mind Has More of a Youthfulness

Everyday...
This aging 'thing' seems to speed.
Some agitate their way through it.
Reminding themselves,
Nothing about this process
For them is welcomed!
And they are not pleased,
By anything it leaves.

And as I reflect,
Doing my best to accept this process...
I must admit,
Some of it I am not in total agreement with myself.
Although I go through the motions,
I am doing it with much ease!

Okay! I must say...
Sometimes I do get a bit perturbed and upset.
Especially when someone yells, 'Hey, grandpa.
Do you need assistance to cross the street? '
I grit my teeth with a fake smile I release.

Hmmm...
Is it noticeable,
My gait appears to be slower and more noble?

Everyday...
This aging 'thing' seems to speed!

And I sit on a nearby bench,
To gather my breath and gently breathe.
Wishing the aches and pains that come with aging...
I could put to rest.
Knowing my mind has more of a youthfulness,
That my body, on certain days...
Could care less what my mind forgets!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I See My Friends Aging

I see my friends aging
Slower in all they do-
The wrinkles and the hesitations before not remembering,
The difficulties in things done so easily once-

I see my friends aging
Sicker and sadder
Their eyes in some strange distance-

Some of them courageous
With plans and trips and grandchildren,
Endlessly going and doing
And being the best they can-

I see my friends aging
And wonder how long I too can pretend
Its still alright-

At this time of life
Time is cruel
And we are going only one way-

I see my friends aging
And I will soon if I am still here
Walker cane wheelchair
Be ancient too.

poem by Shalom Freedman
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Untitled 14

sometimes i find comfort in my silence
i am listening and
then i pretend i am listening and then
i continue pretending until then that the talker
sees that i am already showing that i am no longer listening
that i am no longer interested in whatever is said
that words sometimes have no use to ease the pain that we have
that we have inherited from the leaves of our family tree
from all of them down to the last and true source of our sorrow

when Adam gave the apple because he says Eve asked him to do it
because Eve was ordered by the Snake because they were all innocent
and dumb.

sometimes i look at a space
where there are no more trees, no sky, no sun
sometimes nothingness becomes the real thing: everything.

poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Smile Is A Complicated Thing

A smile is a complicated thing, I'll tell you why,
Anyone can smile, as anyone should,
Yet still it can mask the deepest cuts, I know it's true,
It can deceive people into thinking one's okay, has it worked? ,
It can hide the tears that have dried upon ones face, can you see them?

A smile can show the world a little bit of light, if even just a glimmer,
It can take dark cracks in one's mind and disguise them, I wear a disguise,
It can put on a show for everyone to see, will you clap for me? ,
Yet a smile can also be true, I've had those too,
Offering nothing but joy and laughter, I remember those,
So before you pass off ones smile take a second to smile back, please smile at me,
Reassure them that they don't waste their smiles, are mine wasted? ,
Never judge a smile or ignore the eyes of the smiling, look in my eyes,
Look for hidden pains behind the mask, can you see? ,
Don't be deceived by the charade, listen to my silent story,
And before you pass by smile back, please smile back,
For your smile could be saying the same, do you know how I feel? ,
Everyone has reason to smile, are you smiling? ,
But a smile is a complicated things, I have told you why,
No one should smile alone, smile with me,
We all smile together for good and for bad, what's your story? ,
You're never alone, I am here,
A smile is a complicated thing, I have told you why.

poem by Bethany Maxwell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Witnessing As I Live

I have never before been given the opportunity,
To rehearse the process of aging.
Some would have others believe,
They are gifted with the expertise.
And already know what it is like.
I don't.

I am witnessing as I live my life...
With a wisdom I have never known.
And mysterious aches I feel in my bones,
As if done to remind me...
'Something' seeks attention and wishes it shown.

I have never before been given the opportunity,
To rehearse the process of aging.
But I must admit,
The process is interesting.
Although...
Being around those who announce their pains,
Is more aggravating than anything else.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Camouflage

Camouflage is all the rage.
Ladies in their fight with age-
Soldiers in their fight with foes-
Demagogues who mask and pose
In the guise of statesmen-girls
Black of eyes with golden curls-
Politicians, votes in mind,
Smiling, affable and kind,
All use camouflage to-day.
As you go upon your way,
Walk with caution, move with care;
Camouflage is everywhere!

poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Drop The Mask

(tim tickner, christopher ward, diana ross)
Look in the mirror, who do you see
Where is the man that you used to be
When you turn off the world and turn down the lights
Do you ever wonder who you are tonight
I knew you then, I love you now
You can call me up when it gets you down
Behind the shades theres someone real
Behind your eyes I wonder how you feel
This is me talking to you
Theres just one thing Im asking you to do
You gotta drop the mask, be yourself
Drop the mask
Trust someone else
No one knows what youre going through
Whatever it is, Ill be there for you
If you drop the mask, be yourself
Drop the mask
Trust someone else
I was there when it all began
I still remember the boy within the man
I understand what it means to run and hide
Theres so much that were holding onto deep down inside
This is me talking to you
The only thing that I want you to do
You gotta drop the mask, be yourself
Drop the mask
Trust someone else
No one knows what youre going through
Whatever it is, Ill be there for you
When you drop the mask, be yourself
Drop the mask
Trust someone else
Drop the mask
Drop the mask
Let down your guard, open your heart
Unlose your chains, dont be afraid
Drop the mask
Be yourself
Be yourself
Trust someone else
You gotta drop the mask
Let down your guard, oh you gotta drop the mask
Trust someone else
You gotta drop the mask

song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Girl From Ipanema

Tall and tan and young and lonely
The girl from ipanema goes walking
And when she passes
Each one she passes goes haaa
When she walks its like a samba
That sways so sweet and swings so gently
That when she passes
Each one she passes goes haaa
Ooh but he watches so sadly
How can he tell her he loves her
Yes he would give his hide gladly
But each day when she walks to the sea
She looks ahead not at he
Tall and tan and young and lonely
The girl from ipanema goes walking
And when she passes
She smiles but she doesnt see
Ooh but he watches so sadly
How can he tell her he loves her
Yes he would give his hide gladly
But each day when she walks to the sea
She looks ahead not at he
Tall and tan and young and lonely
The girl from ipanema goes walking
And when she passes
She smiles but she doesnt see

song performed by by Cher
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Wearing It Now

People are around
I know I’ll be alright
The mask doesn’t hurt
No tears
Come from the mask
I put my own on
Thinking that’s the only way it should be
Becoming someone not even I can recognize
In the puddle on the ground
Stomping in it knowing this is not me
Then when the people go away
So does mask
This is the scene in the play I don’t know my lines
For I get scared and choke every time
Mine my mask just changes from
White-ish pink to a dark red
Where the mask simply goes from
Oh look at me I don’t do any thing wrong
To black showing it’s true colors
Whoever said black was all the rainbow mixed together
Is wring in this case
There is no other feeling other then black
Like truck tiers black
No sadness no joy just anger and hatred
The mask gets switched around from him to her
All the time I never know who is wearing it or
If the both of them are sharing it at the same time
So walking through that broken old door
That squeaks and carries on when you open it
You never know if this time
Will be the one time that will kill you
Or break your back
But you hope like heck you make it through
‘Cause if you don’t then you know your not
The only one the mask subjects
And the others will not survive without you

poem by Mrs. Cynosure
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Camouflage

(stewart / savigar / omartian)
She came to the party
In a leather number wrapped in chains
Investigation found
She was very fond of dropping names
So I signed her book
And drove her to her home
And she looked so hot
Started to come on strong
Then she said so candidly
As I was gettin down on my knees
i dont really mean to tease
But Im shy, shy, shy, shy, shy
Camouflage
Thats nothin but camouflage
He was totally handsome
With a winning personality
Natural born leader
With connections in society
But late at night
Alone with just his wealth
He would stare in the mirror
And never see himself
He had a cadillac thirty foot long
He had a hit with every song
Sounded like somethings wrong
Why, why, why, why, why
Camouflage
It aint nothin but camouflage
Camouflage
Aint nothing but, nothin but
Nothin but camouflage
They were so well suited
With an ambience you cant ignore
But nobody realized
What went on behind closed doors
He had many affairs
But never felt fulfilled
She would hide her sadness
In alcohol and pills
She bottled everything up inside
He was too busy with his best friends wife
They couldnt look each other in the eyes
Lies, lies, lies, lies, lies
Camouflage
Just camouflage
Everywhere you go its called camouflage
Some people hide behind camouflage
C-a-m-o-u-f-l-a-g-e
I signed her book, drove her to her home
But I didnt know what was goin on
He had a cadillac thirty foot long
Had hits with every song
He had many affairs but never felt fulfilled
She was hidin herself in some little purple pills
Why, why, why, why
Shy, shy, shy, shy
Lies, lies, lies, lies
Lies, lies, lies, lies
Camouflage, camouflage
Talkin bout camouflage
Camouflage, bring it down
Sometimes I worry about you darlin
You wear too much mascara
Too much eyeliner
Too much rouge, and it worries me
Camouflage, camouflage
Camouflage, talkin bout camouflage

song performed by by Rod Stewart
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Walking Away

Cold winds blow around me,
And I cant help but think of you.
All the things we wanted,
All the things we had to do.
Wrap yourself around me,
We can steal away sometime.
Your whispers surround me,
But its only in my mind.
cuz Im walking away from,
Walking away from things in my own past.
Walking away from,
Walking away from things that just wont last.
You got what you wanted,
But you cant help but think of me.
All the things you wanted,
All the things you got for free.
One thing to remember
Is that I have feelings, too.
I surely would have closed my eyes
If I had known the real you.
cuz Im walking away from,
Walking away from things in my own past.
Walking away from,
Walking away from things that just wont last.
And Im walking away from,
Walking away from things that move too fast.
cuz Im walking away from,
Walking away from things in my own past.
Walking away from,
Walking away from things that just wont last.
And Im walking away from,
Walking away from things that move too fast.
Walking away from,
Walking away from things in my own past...

song performed by by Information Society
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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That 'Senior Citizen' Thing

That 'senior citizen' thing,
Isn't easy for many to face and address.
And...
I am not comfortable with it yet.
Not to cling onto it like it is mine.
I am not prepared to declare,
Total ownership of it.
I am told I can still 'pass' for 55.
And that's young and radiant,
When one is...
On the fringes of showing 'maturity'.

And as my aches and pains,
Make attempts to ignore a fading youth...
Slowly leaving my consciousness,
With loud professions of my obsessiveness...
I know,
Is no longer in that hip hop stage!
And has gone.
I feel time has crept upon me,
And has done me wrong.

But...
I aint crying about it.
Not in public anyway.
And if I do it is raining!
I tell people then,
How I enjoy the feeling of nature.

That 'senior citizen' thing,
Was never on my agenda when I was in my teens.
Nor did aging appear in my dreams...
When I sought ambitiously,
To waste as much time as possible.
It was not a topic of excitement.
Nor a subject to defend.
Back in those days when age was taken for granted.

And then,
Overnight...
My eyesight needed correction.
I had to wear glasses 'with' bi-focals.

My digestion needed anti-oxidents with more fiber.
And for no apparent reason,
I would stumble into buildings and trees.
Losing my balance.

That 'senior citizen' thing,
Isn't easy for many to face and address.
And...
I am not comfortable with it yet.
Not to cling onto it like it is mine.
I am not prepared to declare,
Total ownership of it.
I am told I can still 'pass' for 55.
And that's young and radiant,
When one is...
On the fringes of showing 'maturity'.
Someone...
Like myself,
For example.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Because the mask is your face, the face is a mask, so I'm thinking of the face as a mask because of the way I see faces is coming from an African vision of the mask which is the thing that we carry around with us, it is our presentation, it's our front, it's our face.

quote by Faith Ringgold
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Songs To Aging Children Come

Through the windless wells of wonder
By the throbbing light machine
In a tea leaf trance or under
Orders from the king and queen
Songs to aging children come
Aging children, I am one
People hurry by so quickly
Dont they hear the melodies
In the chiming and the clicking
And the laughing harmonies
Songs to aging children come
Aging children, I am one
Some come dark and strange like dying
Crows and ravens whistling
Lines of weeping, strings of crying
So much said in listening
Songs to aging children come
Aging children, I am one
Does the moon play only silver
When it strums the galaxy
Dying roses will they will their
Perfumed rhapsodies to me
Songs to aging children came
This is one

song performed by by Joni Mitchell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Candidate

Inside every teenage girl there's a fountain
Inside every young pair of pants there's a mountain
Inside every mother's eyes is tommy tinkrem's bed
Inside every candidate waits a grateful dead
I make it a thing, when i'm on my own to relieve myself
I make it a thing, when i gazelle on stage to believe in myself
I make it a thing, to glance in window panes and look pleased with myself
Yeah, and pretend i'm walking home
I took it so bad, i sat in the correction room
Took me a fag, and a kick in the moon
Well, i ain't gonna suck no radar wing
Because inside this tin is tin
Would you like to techno-plate cause i'm your candidate
Oh yeah
It's a matter of life
And the way you walk, you've got a brylcream queen
It's a matter of tact
In the things you talk, that keeps his passport clean
A matter of fact
That a cock ain't a cock on a twelve inch screen
So i'll pretend i'm walking home
You don't have to scream a lot to keep an age in tune
You don't have to scream a lot to predict monsoons
You don't have to paint my contact black
Now i've hustled a pair of jeans
Do i have to give your money back when i'm the fuhrerling
I'll make you a deal
I'll say i came from from earth and my tongue is taped
I'll make you a deal
You can get your kicks on the candidate
I'll make you a deal
For your future's sake, i'm the candidate
Let's pretend we're walking home
Uh-huh, uh-huh
I'm the candidate
I'm the candidate
Vote now for the candidate

song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Face-mask of Human Beings!

Most human beings wear a mask
To hide their real face in life;
To some this is an easy task;
In modern world, such masks are rife!

Some hide the beast alive within;
Some hide their meek and soft nature;
Some hide their blunders, follies, sin;
Some hide their grief, sorrow, rapture!

Yet, why do people do such things?
– The world is not so trust-worthy;
Our earthly life, more failures brings;
We aim to live a life, ‘mirthy’!

The face reflects one’s expressions;
The eyes are mirrors of the mind;
The mask covers one’s depressions;
No one discerns the truths behind!

The ones who wear a mask for face
Are successful most times on earth;
They’ve changed the contours of the race;
Their complexion seems false from birth!

‘Why should the world know what I feel?
Why should I show my emotions?
To most, the mask is worth the deal;
And works quite well like fine potions! ’

A few really abhor masks;
They live a life on earth, real;
They’re natural in all their tasks;
Their palate loves a genuine meal!

A few may try to read your mind –
But this is not an easy task;
Let face change with what life may bring;
But never wear in life, face-mask!

Our earthly lives has ‘ups and downs’;
In joyful times, we laugh or smile;
When anger fills, we show some frowns;
This is God-destined natural style!

Remove the mask upon your face,
And meet the world with pleasant gaze;
Let face be bright and not a haze;
Thus walk or run in your own pace!

Align with Mother Nature’s codes,
And dance in life to Her love-tunes;
The Maker guides you in life’s roads;
There’s music o’er desert sand-dunes!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-12-2008

poem by John Celes
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Doing Small Things

doing small things...
with big hands,
old hands that shake a little,
fumble a little,
but know their way.
aches and pains,
memory's reminder...
and all in all,
it's a good day to be alive!

eyes grow dim,
but still have a spark.
pages written and sealed
for whatever comes.
the soul ferments,
aging like good wine.
two glasses on the table,
waiting... for the guest to arrive.

cant change the past,
and probably shouldnt.
what we've come to be,
step by step...
fresh flowers in the vase,
and the floors are swept.
as if to say 'thank you'...
for the chance to be!

poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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