Autumn Years

Her friends all departed before her,
No one was left to mourn her passing,
The curse of being somewhat blessed
With a life that is long lasting.

She buried her husband twenty years ago;
Lived in solitude ever since;
Every obituary she read of a friend
Brought tears and made her wince.

Of sound body and sound mind
For a century and more;
Sounds like a gift you might want
But the last twenty years she abhorred.

When at last her body gave out
And released her tormented soul;
No one was left to eulogize her
And make sure her story was told.

The preacher read from the bible
At a service that no one attended;
In a cheap coffin she was lain
And placed in a plot that will go untended.

She had shed tears at many a funeral
For people she dearly loved
But no one is left to cry for her
As she passes to the skies above.

I hope I live to a ripe old age,
But not the oldest of my peers;
I don’t wish to be so alone
In my autumn years.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010


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Date: 9/1/2010 9:28:00 PM
YOur theme is very much like Carolyn's winning poem too. Congrats on this awesome poem. LUv, Andrea
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Date: 8/27/2010 7:13:00 PM
Congrats on the win, Joe
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Date: 8/25/2010 10:48:00 PM
Very nice
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Date: 8/25/2010 6:37:00 PM
congrats on your win
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Date: 8/24/2010 8:29:00 PM
Joe, Congratulations on your first place win with this wonderful poem! Life can be very harsh when you lose the love of your life and eventually all the ones you love. You convey this artfully in your poem. Blessings, Connie
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Date: 8/24/2010 4:59:00 PM
Reminds me of a favorite song "It was a Very Good years" Kingston trio...congrad's dude!Light & Love
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Date: 8/24/2010 4:11:00 PM
very empathetic and thoughtful write, JOE.congratulations to you!!!
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Date: 8/24/2010 5:52:00 AM
congrats on the first place win!! very sad thoughts....better plan your own funeral ahead of time.
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Date: 8/24/2010 5:30:00 AM
Congrats, Joe. Outstanding write. What a sad story. Great job. Have a great week. Ralph
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Date: 8/24/2010 5:00:00 AM
Congratulations Joe on your poetry winning in Paula Swanson's contest "Poetry For Poetry's Sake". Love, Carol
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Date: 8/23/2010 10:35:00 PM
What a lovely poem. The sadness and truth of your poem is marvelous. Many congrats for your win.
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Date: 8/23/2010 9:23:00 PM
Excellent beyond words. Sketching the loneliness to an extent that it becomes a Poem or a Song. What a beauty. A well deserving win in the contest my friend. Love and best wishes.....Ravindra
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Date: 8/23/2010 9:17:00 PM
what a touching poem, congrats on your first place win
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Date: 8/23/2010 8:47:00 PM
Congrats Joe on your big first place win in Paula's contest with this rare beauty.. enjoyed with luv..ciao..
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Date: 8/23/2010 8:07:00 PM
Congrats on the first place win, Joe
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Date: 8/23/2010 8:05:00 PM
It is hard to live on when those you love have long passed, Joe. Sad there was "no one left to cry for her," but that's what happens when people outlive their families and friends. Congratulations on another first-place win, my friend. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 8/22/2010 6:19:00 AM
Well done Joe, very deep write.. always Michael
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Date: 8/21/2010 9:24:00 PM
Intense poetry Joe but one to really read over and over again.. as it fits life in general..enjoyed on my wedding day.. ciao..luv..
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