I’m stuck in a rut that is narrow and deep.
My progress through life has been one constant creep.
My past is a book I would not want to read.
Empty of interest, not a single great deed.
My present is bounded by self imposed walls
But at 55 opportunity now calls.
Ahead lies a tangle of routes ready to unravel
Each an opportunity along which I can travel.
No return to the chalk face and the clamour of bells
No constant attention to those youthful yells
No rigid time-tabling from morning to night
No books to mark or reports to write.
I can start on that book I’ve been planning for years.
No more procrastination due to foolish fears.
Writing a history of an unknown success*
Begun by a baron of the working man’s press**.
I can sing out the songs — Shanties by choice,
Without having to be careful of my schoolmaster’s voice.
Sing of the sailors and ships older than me
Sing of the life on the deep rolling sea.
I can head for the hills — take the less trodden track
Living for days from the pack on my back.
Striding out or stopping — going my own way
Without needing to return for work the next day.
I can read what I want, just pleasing myself
Finally finishing all the books on my shelf.
Books I once bought with the best of intention
Then thrust to one side whilst pursuing my pension.
I can wear what I want, no more suit, collar and tie
And my beard will get longer as each day passes by.
I was a child of the sixties but my life didn’t swing.
But now I’m nearing sixty I’ll do MY own thing.
Yes I’ll crawl from my rut and plough a new path
I’ll have some fun and I’ll make some folks laugh.
I’ll do what I want and go at my own speed
Life is for living will become my new creed.
Author notes
I have just got over another panic about my heart (functionality not love ) and logging in I saw a contest theme on chrysalis and one on while there's breath. Hence the poem and the theme.
It's more or less true and for the unenlightened
* the "unknown success" was the Cinderella Movement http://www.cinderellaclub.org/ the last of the many and chaired by yours truly.
**the baron of the working man's press" was Robert Blatchford http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Blatchford
In a list
A contest entry
- Cocoons & Rebirth A Poetic Challenge by BluesMan.
3500 points, ended June 13, 16 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Quickie Quote Prompt # 6 by BluesMan.
875 points, ended July 16, 32 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 19 of 19
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Well done you.It looks like you are going to live each day to it'd full potential.Congrats on the trophy.Well deserved, Ros
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Thanks Ros. I am certainly going to try
This week I am trying, as a Yorkshire man, to enter the Lancashire Dialect Competition. How's that for Hutzpah?
Jim
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This has some wistful humor to it, as well. Now
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Thanks I rather liked this one myself. it's better than some I write
BTW I like that whip emoticon but I am getting better at multi-tasking.
Jim
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It's never too late to breathe new life from the old Thank you for entering my contest.
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Thanks for running an interesting competition. I have looked at a few contenders and they're good.
Jim
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Oh how I liked this poem ...
the reason is: I could identify with so much of the joys of freedom to go at one's own pace with lots to see and do. Finding those choice spots "off the beaten path" has got to be better than opening presents as you can sate in the find for a long time! Your rhythm and rhyme is always a pleasure to read and I like finding these kind of poems. Thanks for sharing it! joy
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Thanks for reading and writing. You seem a kindred spirit.
It is not just the wide open spaces where I find tranguility and joy. I made the discovery some years ago that there are such places in most cities too.
I think this explains it http://allpoetry.com/poem/1320788 .
Jim
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Giving up the ball and chain of conformity is very apealing to me these days Thank you for the journey of rebirth you took me on and thank you for entering my contest.
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This brought an amused smile to my face! I realy enjoyed reading it.Great!
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Thank you for reading and writing. Sorting out my mind enough to enable me to write this cheered me up too. I hope I can live upto it in Real Life
Jim
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This is most enjoyable Jim. A lively and light hearted look at life now you don't have to 'work' at school. One thing I must point out though - I didn't see a reference to our Oldpoetry and the 'fun' you have locating, typing and researching poets/poems -(only kidding) You've explained what was, what is, and what will be as your life unfolds towards 60 and beyond. Very enjoyable. ~ Von
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Thanks for those words Von. I'm afraid you have to read between the lines, there isn't always enough space on them.
The poems are included in the books on my shelf that I haven't read I usually only buy old books so they are usually old poets too and yes it is fun.
Jim
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This vision is paradise. After years of the grind everyone should have this. My best friend's mom just retired after 25 years at a lighting company. She was counting the days. This made me think of her.
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Thanks for stopping by. I hope paradise is postponed and this will do for the time being.
Jim -
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You're welcome. I'm sure it will suffice for now. How have you been,my friend?
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Retirement is Bliss
Very interesting, sounds like someone getting ready for retirement. All in all I enjoyed the poem, and love the rhyme as always. In the second verse you mentioned a tangle of ROTES ready to untangle. That part I didn’t understand because rotes are medieval stringed instruments. Then I thought you may have meant routes because the next line mentions traveling. I’m not trying to be critical, I suppose one could play a stringed instrument as he traveled along, lots of people do.
I like the way it ends with doing what I want at my own speed. Anyone who makes it that far deserves to do what they enjoy for a change.
Enjoyable write Jim Bless you kind Sir.
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Thank you for your words. Though the idea of my becoming a modern day troubador is enticing I did, as you surmised, mean routes and not rotes. I cannot play any instrument Though I did perform this on my travels last night at a Folk club.
Your tact is appreciated
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