Growing Old

You’re only as old as you feel some say. How will it feel on your eightieth birthday? Everything’s quieter and harder to see. Not everyone, just seems like it to me. Portions are smaller as we sit and dine. When we do drink it’s but one glass of wine. No longer can we just turn on a dime. And it gets harder to walk a straight line. Your sleep is disruptive if it’s like mine. Going to the bathroom time after time. Get off your soap box, step onto my cloud. Life is still better than wearing a shroud. If you’ve reached your seventies as of late, Thank your Creator for life can be great. No timecards to punch, no bosses to please, Life is to live as each moment you cease.

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Suzanne Delaney

Date: 2/13/2022 4:09:00 AM

Four score years and ten. It used to frighten me that we had an expiration date but with new technology and pure love of life many go beyond the allotted time span. Enjoyed reading, Bill. Best, SuZ

Bill Baker
Date: 2/13/2022 9:11:00 PM

I am proud to grow older. I'm still experience new things regularly and still enjoy learning. I plan to live as long as I'm useful in this world. Good health and long life to you Suz. Your poetry is amazing! Bill

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 2/5/2022 10:44:00 PM

Lovely Poem, Bill At 84 I can relate to your couplet.' Every day is a bonus. Take care, Bill. Shirley (old duck)

Bill Baker
Date: 2/6/2022 1:28:00 AM

Lead on, my friend, Shirley. I've read we live and grow through life in 7-year cycles. Your one cycle ahead of me, so we're going through the same part of each cycle at the same time, interesting. Have a blessed day! Bill

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 2/5/2022 2:21:00 PM

have to admit that entering my 70s seems strange, almost surreal. But living life without a time card or bosses and embracing precious moments seems absolutely perfect.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/5/2022 5:06:00 PM

We have had more than our share of moment of serenity. To eternal life we go! Bill

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 2/5/2022 5:40:00 AM

My Husband always says two things we have no control over, and that is death and taxes - sad reality of life, but as you say, we must enjoy every day for it can be our last. But there again this applies to every human being in this world no matter the age, unfortunately. Love and hugs, Jennifer.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/5/2022 1:33:00 PM

I agree, Jennifer. It just seems more urgent as we age. Thanks for reading and commenting on my poetry. Smiles ~ Blessings, Bill

Anil Deo

Date: 2/4/2022 9:53:00 PM

Honest and pure pietry for fun at any age. Bill, line 3 from bottom up ( or line 4) possibly meant LIFE. Instead it reads "like," which is good 2. PTL

Bill Baker
Date: 2/4/2022 10:28:00 PM

Thanks for the kind edit, Anil. I did mean "life". I changed it. I agree with you comment of devotion to God. Without a grateful and thankful heart for our Creator, all is loss. Blessings, my friend. Bill

Valsa George

Date: 2/4/2022 8:35:00 PM

Beautiful poem ! Age is just a number and we are as old as we think. Old age is with a lot of advantages too.... We are free to do anything we wish to leisurely, never tyrannized by the hands of the clock. Enjoyed as this gives hope. Have a great week end Bill !

Bill Baker
Date: 2/4/2022 10:21:00 PM

Thank you for the kind and encouraging words, Valsa. Your visits are always uplifting. From my soul to yours, love, peace, and blessings, Bill

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/4/2022 7:34:00 PM

hmmm, I imagine myself still working through my 70's i am working now and just finally got S.S. however, side effects of a terrible drug given me six years ago is making life hard. That is why I sometimes wonder if I really will want to go to 100 like I once had wanted to do. If only I had not listened to that doctor, I would be SO healthy today!!!! Great poem too.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/4/2022 10:19:00 PM

Many times, the medicine is the enemy and not the cure. Sorry for your negative experience with medicine, but glad you seem to have learn from the experience. You are a wonderful part of my Poetry Soup experience; I hope you outlive me. Love and good health to you my friend, Bill

Karen Croft

Date: 2/4/2022 6:31:00 PM

I feel the strain everyday has i get older! and yes I'm not a spring chicken like i once was!!

Bill Baker
Date: 2/4/2022 10:15:00 PM

It gets easier the soon one learns to quit resisting the inevitable changes of aging. A smile and a hug can work wonders for the attitude and spirit as we grow older. Smiles ~ Blessings, Bill

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 2/4/2022 6:01:00 PM

My mother is over 80 now, and I can see how it's affecting her, but she still fines enjoyment every day, many gold nuggets of wisdom here~

Bill Baker
Date: 2/4/2022 10:13:00 PM

Thanks, Michelle. I once bought a tape series titled, "Attitude is Everything." After about 45 years, it's beginning to sink in and make much more sense to me. We have little control over what happens to us in life, but very much control over how we view it and allow it the affect our life. Blessings, Bill

Sotto Poet

Date: 2/4/2022 5:15:00 PM

Bill, another brilliantly constructed poem. Many of the ideas mentioned in this great poem resonate with me. Age is not a time for the frail.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/4/2022 10:09:00 PM

The aging process does take a lot of growth to handle. Consistent changes can be a challenge, even for those of us that have a propensity to live with a positive outlook of life. Thanks for commenting, Lasaad. I enjoy reading your poetry very much, Bill

Kenneth Cheney

Date: 2/4/2022 7:40:00 AM

Old age is not for the weak. I can relate to many of the sentiments expressed in this fine poem. Thanks Bill.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/4/2022 8:46:00 AM

I have a follow upcoming later today ... Growing Older 75-100 and beyond for the few. Thanks for the visit and comment, Kenneth. Bill