Caren Krutsinger Poet Free verse

Aging

I was revered and respected.
My opinion sought, when I was young.
I wore cute clingy dresses to show my shape,
and open toed shoes because my feet are wide.

Now I am older, wider, falling apart physically.
I have arthritis, I am losing teeth at an alarming rate.
My hair is naturally gray, so I dye her burgundy.
I have become invisible.
Rapidly, overnight.
No one seeks me out now.
My opinion is worthless.
I am too old to be of value.

I look back in the recesses of my memory.
Wondering if I ever disrespected my elders like this.
Frankly I do not think I did.
The disrespect shown to me is pretty hurtful.
I have no understanding of this kind of rudeness at all.

Of course I have shingles, and I am hurting, so what would I know anyway?



Written 6-3-2019
Contest:  A contest on Aging
Sponsor: Emile Pinet

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Eve Roper June 26, 2019 at 3:48 PM Fantastic poem on the process of growing old , Caren, congratulations on your win. Caren Krutsinger June 26, 2019 at 8:41 PM Thank you Eve. I had fun penning it.

Ann Gilmour June 26, 2019 at 2:57 PM Many congrats Caren on your win with this wonderfully poignant poem. It is so true that as we age it feels as if we are invisible. Whatever happened to respecting our elders! I truly hope that the S word is now going and that you are no longer in such pain dear friend. With kindest thoughts Ann xx Caren Krutsinger June 26, 2019 at 8:41 PM Thank you Ann. I am surviving and trying to get my strength back.

Connie Marcum Wong June 26, 2019 at 1:48 PM Wow Caren I think shingles would really be the worst of it. My twin had it and said it was so terribly painful. I got the shot. Arthritis tends to claim all of us especially from old injuries. Excellent my friend! Congratulations on your wonderful win! xxoo Caren Krutsinger June 26, 2019 at 8:42 PM I have not had this much pain in my entire life. I sat and looked at those pill bottles every day wondering what combination was going to end things. It was a month of pure hell. Thank you for the congratulations. I did not know I had won until right now.

Emile Pinet June 26, 2019 at 1:06 PM Congratulations Caren! Your poem earned a distinguished place in my contest, it was a very difficult contest to judge but your poem caught my eye, well done my friend, Emile. Caren Krutsinger June 26, 2019 at 8:43 PM Emile, my friend, I am so honored. I did not expect to win at all, thinking possibly it might be a little more negative than it should for you are one of the most positive poets I have ever known in my entire life of knowing poets. So I am humbly saying thank you my friend. I am thrilled!

William Kelii Kekaula June 4, 2019 at 10:33 AM Words that ring true for the many of us "...but Goodies" Caren, a wonderful share and best wishes indeed, Aloha William Caren Krutsinger June 4, 2019 at 3:52 PM Thank you William.

Panagiota Romios June 4, 2019 at 10:10 AM Hope you are better. You still do matter! Especially with burgundy hair! People do respect you....they should Panagiota Caren Krutsinger June 4, 2019 at 3:52 PM They should, but I am so angry with my body right now, I am having trouble respecting myself.