Getting Too Old

GETTING  TOO  OLD



Her story told by old charts, scattered, water-drenched. 
Portholes all broken, shaft and screw missing :  a  wreck ,
Grounded  on concrete platform  like an old man sitting on bench, 
Battered  funnel,  broken hawsers, holes in deck.


Tell you stories about the old days when he mattered.
Eyeglasses cracked.   Some say he has a screw loose :
Old man on a bench, like a ship in dry dock, rust splattered,
Battered hat, torn trousers,  holes in shoes.


Endured war  sagas at the siege of Malta,
Braved storms in the Bering Sea  - ice cold, 
Saw exotic island sunsets in Straits of Malacca,
With cargoes varied, they  traveled  the world. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Written   for  Matt   Caliri’s  Contest    “Write A Backwards Poem”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Brown Avatar
June 27, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Congratulations on your win in Matt's "Backwards Poem" contest Syd. Love, Carol
K. Avatar
June 26, 2011 at 11:21 AM
This sure is a very clever, write Sydney! These ships indeed tell their tales and how cool that you related it to the old man as well..Very interesting to read both ways-- Congrats on your win :D
Onclaud Avatar
June 25, 2011 at 11:10 PM
you mean you have inner depth? hmm, again, this was from my draft!! j/ kidding!! syd, what you've done here is not just describe a person, but you creating a living being out of words. .. congrats with huggs! :)
Beck Avatar
June 25, 2011 at 4:08 PM
Tell me about it L O L........I am rapidly approaching verse two......best wishes ...Syd
Johnson Avatar
June 25, 2011 at 3:44 PM
Happens to the best of us as well as to ships. Congratulations Sydney. Love, Joyce
Beck Avatar
June 25, 2011 at 4:09 PM
Tell me about it....L O L...I am rapidly approaching verse two....best wishes...Syd
Dietrich Avatar
May 21, 2011 at 8:14 AM
Sydney, I like this. It's a very good idea for that backwards contest. I totally could grasp your idea by reading this one backwards. I forgot to answer you last night. Yes, I know that Dylan poem. I think its one famous line is repeated by many when it comes to dying. What made you think of it? That repeating quality?
Beck Avatar
May 21, 2011 at 11:12 AM
yes it was the repeating quality which is intrinsic to vilanelle of course....yours has that quality Andrea
Foulk Avatar
May 20, 2011 at 12:48 PM
a great piece of creative work, enjoyed reading this one.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace