I hear the talk of getting old
So I talked to a man with a heart of gold
I asked a question
"Why was life so unfair?"
The old man answered
With kindness and care
With a smile on his face
And his twinkling eyes
He thought real careful
As he let out a sigh~
He talked about memories
Good and bad
They are just lessons
Happy and sad
When your old life doesn't end
You become a teacher
With a message to send~
Being old is a gift that we all will reach
There are many life lesson's
We will have to teach
Sometimes it good to be old and slowed down
It gives us a chance
To thank heaven we're still around~
To watch the cycle of life perform
To see the beauty
In the eye of a storm
To gather thoughts and know what's right
To teach the young
Watch them grow in delight~
People will see
What they haven't been told
The reward of life
Is getting old~
Author notes
Written June 1st, 2003
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 35 of 35
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Right now I can't even imagine being old, I'm actually quite scared, I don't want to stop feeling young, I know I AM still young cuz I'm only 15, but I AM scared of growing up...
I guess it IS rewarding to have gone through that many years gaining so much knowledge, having children and other young people to tell them to...but for now, I'm happy with the youthful rewards I get:)
nice poem susan:)
kayla* -
I thought of Neil Young's song "Heart of Gold" at the beginning. perhaps that was intentional. Unfortunately I have a feeling throughout of bits and pieces of things I have heard before. Others are enjoying the way you stated them but that's just my reaction.
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Sometimes, older people are a gift to the younger generation, for they can offer the wisdom and benevolence that age seems to gather. The picture is wonderful as well. It fits the mood perfectly. I, myself, have an intense fear of aging, but I know it comes with its own blessings as does youth. You captured these blessings with such a wonderful write. If there were more people in this world with hearts such as yours, it would definitely become a better place, indeed.
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I love this Susan. It's so true. Old warriors will become the instructors, to speak of the things that can't be seen or heard. Being old is a gift.
CT -
Well done Susan, you are so right...Old age is seen as 'living death' so very wrong..
Barb
xxx -
YES!!! this is exactly right sus. you nailed this right down. just great.
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OK...where did you get a pic of MY dad?????
Seriously, it DOES look sortof like him... I loved this piece. Too often 'OLD" is seen as 'useless'. It's really a shame.... Val
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there is beauty in age
there is also sadness
the balance between the two
can be so hard
you captured the beauty part here
and helped me to forget the ugly sad part
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Excellent! Enjoyed the read!
This is a wonderful poem about getting old, Sis! It is obvious from the comments you have received that this poem hits the nail on the head. So much truth in this poem...I liked this stanza in particular:
"Being old is a gift that we all will reach
There are many life lesson's
We will have to teach
Sometimes it good to be old and slowed down
It gives us a chance
To thank heaven we're still around~"
Very nicely done! Bravo!
< 3 Maureen
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I didn't mean to use your points; I didn't realize that I was going to one that I had already commented on. I better start paying more attention to more than just the authors name. I do still like it just as much as last night.
Damon D. Brewer -
Excellent
An absolutely brilliant write Susan ...
As one of the "older generation" on AP I couldn't agree with you more ...
'Tis a shame that so many youngsters do not see the generosity of the "oldies" when the pass on their knowledge.
Take care,
Sammy.
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Yey
This one is very nicely done. I like how you put your words togeather to give it the right feeling for this type of poem. Age is one of the many things that people tend to forget about when they live a regular day by day life. Going around in circles and slowly forgetting that they are losing their life because of work. I am one to say that the only way to live is to love and explore the world and do what you can with the time that is given to you. SO I really liked this poem because it made me think. Go You!! W00t! -
The reward of life is getting old.............You said this so perfectly.......I adore this......I have a favorite..lol.......Sorry took so long to see these........I was in Chicago.........just got home last night.
This has some much wisdom and strentgh in it. You have been able to capture our lives with a simplistic approach........I really like this alot.........lisa anne -
You ALMOST make me want to become old so I can teach people life's lessons... Almost though, I definetly enjoy being young too much to want to be old.
You handled this wonderfully, beautifully, and any other adjectives that basically mean that, lol.
People should definetly start to respect their elders more (my grandad is the coolest man in the world! I love him to death, lol)
-Heather -
This is incredible... so beautiful. It's a beautiful picture as well.. so thoughtful. Really incredible. I liked how you respected the older people and showed how they can teach us... that is soo lacking nowadays. I also liked how you made it seem like a privelege to age. Really good... I loved it.
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OH WOW!!!! This is absolutely fantastic!!!! The title really caught my eye cos I'm getting up there myself LOL...but this made me realize that yes, we do gain so much knowledge with age and thankfully we learn that life isn't about racing around in a frenzy to gain material possessions...age with wisdom is truly a gift to be treasured!!!! and we should also treat our elderly with a lot more reverence and respect because there is so much we can learn by just listening!! An awesome write with such a beautiful message...superbly written!!!!
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I have probably said this before but this is my favorite. I love older people for those very reasons! The wisdom they have to offer is amazing. I would much rather be in the company of a room full of older people with clear minds that with youth swarming around me. Aww and you share a bit of wisdom in this yourself! Bravo!!
Red -
I like the subject here and your handling of it, you have shown us the beauty and grace of old age, its reflective and makes one think, we all love youth its beauty its strength, its joy of life, in old age we slow down, but where in youth one was full of follies now one is full of wisdom, and the wisdom is a good exchange, though often our mirrors or our bodies may not agree, but wisdom is of lasting value and soemthing you can share and impart, unlike good looks or strength. We all have to age grow old die and make way for the newer the fresher to take our place, with our wisdom in old age we can impart to them lessons which will stand them in good stead.
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great job:) book marking this one:) thanks so much for puttin it out there for all of us:)
love and smiles,
mia -
Good leson
It does wrap things up really nicely in this work. The message is simple without being lost in a desperate attempt to be poetic. That is what I find myself doing sometimes.
"When your old life doesn't end
You become a teacher
With a message to send"
I wish all the elderly and young alike could understand this concept. -
OMG Girl. This is fantastic. A totally different perspective on aging and old people that most people don't seem to share. All too often we hide from age rather than embrace it and the knowledge and wisdom that follows. A profoundly well written poem sweetie. I'm adding it to my faves, so when I start feeling old...i can kick myself in the ass.
Well, rather, I can let you do it for me.
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This is such a wonderful tribute to age and wisdom that comes with it . However I am always saddened that there is so little respect for age here in the US . It is a youth oriented culture , and to be old is fodder for having you laughed at and your life experiences diminished as feebleminded rhetoric:( I come from a place where old age gets respect and yes almost reverence. I believe America has a few lessons to learn on that subject
You did aging justice with this
Reenie
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great reflective piece here, I think the test as to whether getting older is a good thing is to ask if we would really want to be younger again if we could , I'm sure most people's honest answer would be no, however appealing it may seem at first glance (and I know I sure would like my figure back from my teens lol) I wouldnt have that and have to re-live all the angst and heartache (not to mention the spots!!!)
you did a great job here making us stop and think what it truly means to be old and to get older
thank you for this poem
Victoria xxXxx
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Beautiful
Beautiful poem- absolutely brilliant. You have captured the very essence of growing old and how it is truly a wonderful thing. GREAT job with this- really great. Definitely going into the favorites.
~Zeek -
Susan, this is sooooooooooooooo beautiful:) Pearls of wisdon in your amazing words:)
Love ya,
Karen
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A wonderful piece Susan, with the good of aging.....Hugs Sherry
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this is such a beautiful poem
a view on aging that i have'nt heard before.
our elders have more knowledge than i can dream of.
a magnificent job of reminding us who we should honor and respect.
,,,=^..^=,,, Clare -
I feel like I have been given a pearl of wisdom here, and I wish that people today would revere their elders the way people used to. This really touches my heart, Susan.
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Omg Susan, i think i'm gonna cry....This is so unbelievably amazing. You wrote this in such a beautiful way. This by far is the best poem i have ever read, i sincerely mean this. Its better than all of your others, it beats the pants off of anyone here. I loved it, i really did... God Susan, its fucking awesome!!!! ITS GREAT!!!!!!!! A PIECE OS EXQUISIT ART!!!!
I love you sweetie and i hope things get better for you soon.
~*Lynn*~ -
this was wonderful I loved every word of it . i think that you did this so very great with this ine that is for sure. i thank you ever so much for im me to let me know about this one .
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wow susan... this is an incredible poem on the beauties of growing old (course, look at me, i'm getting older by the day, you and i are the same age... LOL)
keep on writing, i'll keep on reading!
blessed be
mike -
Well Susan, I am getting on up there myself. I must say that one thing about getting old is, it is better than the alternative. Grow old or die; I choose to grow old if I have any say in the matter.
You did an excellent job writing this, and I did an okay job reading it--I guess, because I sure did enjoy it.
Damon D. Brewer -
Now I feel better about being old LOL Wisdom does come with age and so many other rewards as you have expressed in this piece. A wonderful job, Susan. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of the gifts of being "old" LOL
~Kathy -
Susan this is just perfect!!!!
People will see
What they haven't been told
The reward of life
Is getting old~
You really make me feel good about turning 40 in three weeks! ~Laura
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EXCELLENT
This poem was so amazeing, It makes you think and the picture added that extra insight...
Being old is a gift that we all will reach
There are many life lesson's
We will have to teach
Sometimes it good to be old and slowed down
It gives us a chance
To thank heaven we're still around~
To watch the cycle of life perform
To see the beauty
In the eye of a storm
To gather thoughts and know what's right
To teach the young
Watch them grow in delight~
People will see
What they haven't been told
The reward of life
Is getting old~
I loved this...EXCELLENT write
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