The Comedy Of Age
The years are starting to catch up to me
Graying temples is what I see.
My youthful appearance has gone astray
As I turned the other way.
What happened to my younger years
When I was bold, brave and had no fears.
Has life rewritten every line
And I’ve fallen behind the times.
In my youth I left my mark
Now to old age I will embark.
I will kick ass - like I’ve always done
As long as I can get up and face the sun
And if the day comes that the sun no longer shines
It must have climbed up my behind.
Maybe it went to join I.B.S.
And is searching to give a test.
I will let old age pass
The same as I do with my gas.
I will let it blow in the wind
So you can have a whiff my friend.
(ha-ha father time welcomes you)
poem by Louis Rams
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Sorry To A Friend
Sittin on the edge
Looking for songs in a bottle
Talking with strangers who dont know my pain
Blurry eyed and burned out
Choking on more than I can swallow
Crack in a little voice called out my name
She said ~ whatever happened to you,
Its been two years where have you been.
And I guess all my fears were true
The words were all gone the times been too long.
But I deserve to know what happened to my friend
Staring in her face, I see a past that still haunts me
The road where we split up is paved with the things I didnt say
We had wonderful times, but terrible timing
Now just leave her alone, Ill just be in the way
She said whatever happened to you
You took the cowards way out again
And I guess all my fears were true
The words are all gone, the times been too long
But its not too late to say Im sorry to a friend
Im sorry to a friend. sorry to a friend
Like a stone in a stream
Life smoothes all our edges
til we barely make a ripple any more
But those times in my life will live with me forever
But were not the same people that we were before
And Im sorry for the smiles we missed and the times that I blew it
Ive got so much to tell you I dont know where to start
Maybe Ill find a way maybe youll help me do it
cause friends like us should not be apart
And Im sorry to a friend
Well now Im sorry
song performed by by Edwin McCain
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My Friends Back In My Prime Years
My friends back in my prime years I never did disown
It's just that I live far from them and apart we have grown
We drank and played football together but our separate ways we've gone
And we have forged new friendships and life of course goes on.
My friends back in my prime years may now look a bit gray
And they might not know me or I might not know them if by chance we met today
In my memory they have remained young but in reality
The years have left their mark on them as the years have left their mark on me.
Old father time the aloof one to anyone doesn't bow
And some of my friends of my prime years may be grand parents now
Perhaps they now are showing their age and time has left them slow
They could run fast as I recall some twenty years ago.
My friends back in my prime years I may now not recognize
For time leaves it's mark on all of us I've come to realize
I drunk beer with them in the pub and with them played football
And that was many years ago as I can well recall.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Amber Autumn (Sonnet)
To some, their youth was just sublime.
Then age crept up and over time
Their joy then faded with the years
As body changes led to fears.
Their days are spent rememb’ring when...
They long to see their youth again.
For those whose youth was filled with strife,
Their autumn years are best in life.
Now their retirement Is here,
Old age is far from what they fear.
Time now to enjoy and savour
Their rewards for past times labour.
It’s time to spread their wings and fly,
To enjoy God’s gifts ‘fore they die.
poem by Connie Marcum Wong
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Would He Even Know Me Now?
The past is full of shades and shapes
Of people, come and gone,
'Whatever happened to so and so, '
We say, when the mood is on;
But closer still, our parents live
In the warmth of our hearts and minds,
And my father often returns to me
To haunt my quiet times.
How do you deal with a love so deep
That it tears your life apart?
The day that he left, he took a piece
Of my ever caring heart,
He died, and so did I that day,
But I couldn't even cry,
A loss so great to a fickle fate -
I wept, though my eyes were dry.
Though that was twenty years ago
I remember in every way,
He'll always be just the way he was
On that final, desperate day;
But I have changed, I'm older now
And life has never been kind,
The years have indelibly traced their path
On my face, my body and mind.
My father knew me way back when,
A child, a teen, young man,
I hovered around the forty mark
When he left in the Lord's great plan;
But one thing worries my troubled mind
And it haunts my thoughts somehow,
If we were to pass on the street today
Would he even know me now?
5 March 2008
poem by David Lewis Paget
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The Leaving
He changed from boy to man in double time,
And crammed his whole clan's dreams inside his boots,
The time had come for him to walk the line,
And turn his youthful back upon his roots.
The parting in itself was filled with fears,
A solitary journey 'cross the sea,
To face a future brief, or countless years,
He flew on wings racked with anxiety.
What lay ahead he felt his craft could match,
Years of application helped fuel his fire,
But the golden boy among this latest batch,
Decided that his soul was not for hire.
The odyssey it ended five years hence,
Relief at last his exile came to pass,
Stalled in gear with a life yet to commence,
The second hand is ticking much too fast.
poem by Greg Costello
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looking Back An Overview Of A Life
Today, I turned forty three
So I look back or look ahead
Back to what I was or ahead to what I'll be
But not too far because then I'd be dead
I decided to look back then ttavel ahead
Exploring my most pivotal years
Remembering things people had said
Examining my deepest fears
Childhood, years of innocence and wonder
Everything to a child's eyes is new
Til one day, innocence is torn asunder
As surely as the sky will be blue
Teenage years, a sense of immortality
At such an age death is not even imagined
Doing everything with such youthful vitality
Not knowing the end is already predestined
Twenties and Thirties maturity is reached
And things just seem to fall into place
Your innocence, long since breached
Is remembered in the look on a child's face
In your Forties attaining middle age
Deciding that maturity looks good on you
Graying hair, against which you don't rage
You feel it's distinguished, how very true
poem by Harry J. Couchon Jr
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Oh, Son
Oh, son where were you all these years!
I wanted to hear that sweet voice of yours
In this lovely world I missed you for long time
You were not even asking me in prayer times
What has happened to you?
You were obedient, honest and true
What made you to be of forgetful nature?
You schooling, education and everything was made very much sure
You used to come and weep by my bed side
I could feel the tears dropp and the words you wanted to confide
I was helpless my dear son when you were just a kid
I was moved by your presence and it spun my head
I left this beautiful land on fateful day
I knew you were dragged and taken away
Your crying words still echo ears
I could understand your pain and fears
Years after years have turned into decades
My memory is now completely faded
You were not to find single second for mother
What was reason for all these years to bother?
I heard little fainted voice from distance
I loved some words closely for instance
You were asking for few minutes to talk
How can I afford to neglect you and walk away?
For all these years you might have been busy with your family?
May be facing tough life for scaling ladder not available readily
Yet it speaks of ignorance and ungratefulness on your part?
The life might have brought you glory but what a bad end with good start
Now you have found the little time
That too after retirement when no one hears you sometimes
It speaks of little childish attitude
But all my feelings for you do not dilute
For all these years you did not care
To see agony on my face and bothered
Mothers are still mothers and shall remain unique
Forget everything even if lately offered kick
I have no words to offer
As not many people may differ
Speak in different tone and not side
But I am always with you whenever you face danger and collide
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
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Pride Comes Before A Fall
The great one does not last a champion in his prime
He lost to a younger man with some help from father time
The years had left him slow time takes care of us all
He defended his pride but pride comes before a fall.
And even what a difference five or six years can make
To keep on keeping on for him a big mistake
He should have called it quits a couple of years ago
For the money he kept going though the years had left him slow.
Once feted and admired but that was in the past
And he too had his day and nothing ever last
He went down rather tame to one that he once would beat
And for one proud as he there is no pride in defeat.
The beaten one this time he has called it a day
Though perhaps six years ago he should have given his game away
But his pride kept him going wisdom never was his friend
And his glory day for him one might say at an end.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Starting Again
Music: Barry Manilow
Lyrics: Marty Panzer
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And it started again And I meant every word
And I liked what I said
And I liked what I heard
And I started to think
I could think about starting again
We were laughing again
Over memories and wine
And the years in between
Didn't seem a long time
When I smiled she knew why
In a while it was starting again
And I started to think I could feel again
All the bad times seemed unreal
When I looked in her eyes
The cheating, the lies,
The things that were wrong seemed far behind
And I started to think I could care again
And my fears all disappeared
When she called me by name
I knew that she'd changed
The flaws were all gone
The Saint remained
But it started again when I asked her to stay
And she said, "There's this friend who's in town just today"
And she really felt bad, but she had to be leaving again
And she left me again as she'd left me before
Still pretending she cared when we kissed at the door
But I saw in her eyes that the lies were all starting again
Just when I started to feel again
When all the bad times seemed unreal
When it all seemed so right and I thought that tonight
If she said she cared, she really might
Just when my fears disappeared again
And I heard what I wanted to hear
It all started again
And I knew what that meant
It wasn't the start
It was really the end
song performed by by Barry Manilow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Yoy want anything
You want anything
"You want anything from me "
I told her to be frank and free"
She did not stop looking down
It was sheer fault of my own
I loved her and confided many times
Yet she had apprehensions sometimes
Any serious girl may think hundred times
Before making her self available on that line
I have great regard for her sense of pride
Many a times she opined and did not hide
I was afraid to face her in day light
As she never crossed the way to fight
This was my first encounter with her
She was bold and brave with no fear
"I shall face world but not go back"
To my words even if so much is at stake
I left her in lurch and went abroad
As I was poor and down with debt load
I had to make move with heavy heart
Even though I resolved in mind to make her part
Today I am back after many years
I wanted same original voice to be heard in ears
I sent for her a message with flower
To see me in private but not at place very far
I saw her with pale face but not completely down
She was in complete command and made it known
"I am unmarried yet" but paused in between
"I too same for these many years have been"
We both were passing through same phase
Life was normal but not with any fine base
It lacked warmth and life's discipline
How could everything be smooth and fine?
"I am reformed and at my best"
The past was past and passed off as test
Let us be one again and spend the rest of the journey
She smiled for a while and I thanked almighty
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
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O Father
Thus, upon the ground did my body walk
and across the lands did it roam and talk
but O father of my tearing eyes tell me now
what happened to the earth and my old folk
Did my heart astray alone in the darkest way
or did my humble soul denied to remain and stay
but O father of my crying heart tell me then
what happened to the earth and the old way
I see as if my eyes got dropped down on the cheek
or it may be like my sorrows and agony reaching a peak
but O father of my broken back in the dusty past
what happened to the earth that I used to seek
By my own hands my blood did I share freely
in the tubs of wisdom in the rage of the daily
but O father where did my blood now astray
what happened to the earth of the lovely
O father my body got the agony now and then
and my soul tired of roaming and the time is when
O father the time is here and it came to me
where I can raise up and roar outside the den
O father, who was my father through in time
how I wonder what you are and how am I
but O father no time is left to say no time
verily, that's my tomb here, and then I, to goodbye
poem by Taher Shemaly
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A Man For The Ladies
He was the young dad of the sixties he is the old man of today
Married and divorced for the third time that's life as some are known to say
He is seven times a great grandfather one might say his flock multiply
And he is not yet finished with women he says he will give marriage at least one more try,
He is now with one twenty years younger a divorcees of forty one
At the wooing of far younger women he surely is second to none
Some women like their men much older for the father figure they do fall
When it comes to understanding people I know that I know little at all
He was sixty one on his last birthday with brown hair dye he covers his gray
And when it comes to dress and appearance attention to detail he pay
one might say a man for the ladies at wooing them he has known success
His chat up lines seem to be flawless all of the right buttons he seems to press
Yes surely a man for the ladies younger women fall for him in a big way
Yet in love he likes a new challenge and with one he does not seem to stay.
poem by Francis Duggan
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In These Last Few Days
In these last few days, you've been on my mind.
An' we should get together an' talk about old times.
An' put the past behind us before life slips away.
I been thinkin' 'bout you in these last few days.
In these last few days, I have felt my age.
I wish that I was younger, but time has turned the page.
I sure miss the water and the rhythm of the waves.
I've been feelin' fragile in these last few days.
But I have been a father, a husband and a son.
Lookin' back is bitter sweet now that my race has run.
I've tried to be a witness from the cradle to the grave.
Time has felt so precious in these last few days.
Instrumental break.
In these last few days, I have seen the light.
And I'll be waitin' for you on the other side.
My old friend, I love you: that's really all there's left to say.
Lay down here beside me in these last few days.
My old friend, I'll miss you, but I'm trying to be brave.
Lay down here beside me in these last few days.
song performed by by Vince Gill
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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On Seeing A Photograph
A photo of an ageing face stirs an old memory
He is plainly not a shadow of the man he used to be
His balding head is hoary gray his hair it was dark brown
When we played football as teenagers in the park in our Hometown.
He was a sprightly youth back then two years younger than I
On looking back the decades the years just seemed to fly
He played football worked in the fields and walked miles every day
But like me he seems the worst for wear the years have left us gray.
Perhaps we would be strangers now if by chance we did meet
We might not recognize each other in passing on the street
We age a little every day time of us all takes care
And leaves us looking in the end the very worst for wear.
A photograph of one I knew from many years ago
And he has aged as I have aged time on us all does show
We played football together when we were near to our life's prime
But in the end we all lose out to ageless father time.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Suddenly I'm No Longer Attached
Suddenly I'm no longer attached,
And there is something inside of me
That welcomes that.
Years of my activities,
And concern...
Would leave me quite frantic.
Feeling overworked, strained and burned.
I am satisfied with those things I've tried.
And making a footprint no one can deny.
Everywhere I placed my steps,
Not one did I do without dignity and pride.
I need no one to qualify my stride.
My mark has been placed,
Before and not behind witnessing eyes.
I seek no approval for my deeds neglected.
I'm not awed by applause.
My functions have been upfront.
And for some the intent,
Has been meant to be most personal.
I'm not a backside biter!
And that is a fact!
Suddenly I'm no longer attached,
And there is something inside of me
That welcomes that.
That You, Father.
As long as You are pleased!
With me and deeds I've created,
You have helped me make to leave.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Getting Old
When you’re young you think you know it all
Then you get old and life begins to unfold.
In their youth they don’t think ahead
The future is something they do not dread.
They feel that everything in life they can control
They’re young and strong and very bold.
Aaaah! Those beautiful days bring back memories
Of how simple life used to be.
Youth had respect for the elderly
And their fellow man.
Now the elderly they try to scam.
When they are older they will see
They want respect and to live with dignity.
they are young and they don’t seem to understand
That with age you may need a helping hand.
Everything in life comes in stages
It’s like a book when you turn the pages
It gets deeper and keeps you enthralled
Until the time that you reach the end
And you’ve lost all your family and friends.
The First stage is when you are a child
And someone is taking care of you for that while.
The Second stage is when you become a teen
And you feel like a king or queen.
You feel that you can not get old
This is what you believe at this stage in your life
Because you’re not looking at the struggles and strife.
The Third stage is the adolescent years
And you feel you’re in control and lose your fears.
The final stage is when you become old and gray
And your youthful years have slipped away.
You look back and ask yourself!
where did All those years go?
Why did I waste so much time?
And the most important thing is
That I am so glad I made you mine
For with you by my side I had a life divine.
So to the youth who have not gotten to this stage
Don’t get angry, and get rid of your rage.
There is no way to turn back the time
For time just moves straight ahead
You’re getting to the point that you now dread.
WELCOME TO OLD AGE! HA-HA
poem by Louis Rams
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Yesterday
My friend says I was not a good son
you understand
I say yes I understand
he says I did not go
to see my parents very often you know
and I say yes I know
even when I was living in the same city he says
maybe I would go there once
a month or maybe even less
I say oh yes
he says the last time I went to see my father
I say the last time I saw my father
he says the last time I saw my father
he was asking me about my life
how I was making out and he
went into the next room
to get something to give me
oh I say
feeling again the cold
of my father's hand the last time
he says and my father turned
in the doorway and saw me
look at my wristwatch and he
said you know I would like you to stay
and talk with me
oh yes I say
but if you are busy he said
I don't want you to feel that you
have to
just because I'm here
I say nothing
he says my father
said maybe
you have important work you are doing
or maybe you should be seeing
somebody I don't want to keep you
I look out the window
my friend is older than I am
he says and I told my father it was so
and I got up and left him then
you know
though there was nowhere I had to go
and nothing I had to do
poem by William Stanley Merwin
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Gone Is The Light
Every day I wake in my lonely bed
How I wish that I was dead
No more left to be said
A great burden I carry on my head
All I do is question why
No longer pointing my head to the sky
No more wind is in my sail
Nothing more I can fail
I have lost my only friend
In love I fall never again
It is sad but yet so true
Nothing left for me to do
Into the night I'll fade away
For me there's just no more day
All is left is the night
Gone tomorrow the sun light
Darkness surrounds everywhere
Gray are my skies since she's not here
Turned his back no longer I sleep
For my soul no one will keep
As winter’s chill cometh the dawn
Lost all my senses since she’s gone
The darkness cry’s out my name
Hard I find to live down the shame
No longer can I conceal my sorrow
Why must there be a tomorrow
No more comes a brighter day
It just won’t seem to go away
This is a first for me to be alone
I've never been on my own
Gone are the days of my happiness
All is left is pure sadness
No one left to kiss and caress
No longer do I have someone to impress
The darkness I now embrace
For I have fallen on my face
No more to rise it’s the end
For I’ve lost my best friend
That voice I no longer hear
For she’s no longer here
poem by Wilfred Mellers
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My Mirrors Past
I look into the mirror
and stare at this face.
Life has gotten dearer.
Time has left its trace.
What happened to the innocence?
Where is that youthful glow?
This isn't the mirror I saw myself in
So many years ago.
Innocence became reality.
Youth gave way to mature
Now I wish I had the mirror
I looked into before.
Mirrors show an image
We may not want to see.
The way we are today.
How we used to be.
Remember while you're looking.
The reflection doesn't last.
Just think of how it was
When you looked In Mirrors Past.
poem by Ashleigh Gaffney
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To you, my dear friend,
Friendship begins, and goes on forever,
Friend indeed don't put friend in mouth,
Just put in heart even five years no see,
Friend don't ask bagatelles,
Just wish everything goes well,
Friend don't disturb you,
Just give you the strength to go on,
Friend don't want got sth. from you,
Just love,
Friend always share the beauty of life,
Even more the hard time,
Friend goes together when the sun is shining,
Even more the raining day,
Friend pledge someday sth.,
Even more the actions,
Friend remember happy times past,
Even more now,
Friendship ends, and we pass away.