Richard Colbert | + Follow Poet |
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I Am An Old Man

i am an old man
when i look in the mirror 
i don’t see me
a resemblance of my past
but know things aren’t 
always what they seem
	my skin is wrinkled and thin 
	i bruise easily
	though not emotionally
	my arms have spots not freckles 
	my sight and views are 
	becoming blurred and vague
choices made in my younger daze
left gaps between
my teeth and memory 
i’m guarded about
revealing either one
	the soles of my shoes flare 
	making it easier
	to take things in stride
	i have arch supports 
	so as not to be caught flat footed
the Cloud has
nothing to do with
information storage
but more the cause of
hide and seek with the 
the sun and the past
	i talk to myself
	trying to get a consensus
	to show i’m not crazy
	the conversation
	usually ends in a stalemate
	and nobody wins
when i retired 
everyday became Saturday 
i start and finish 
everything and nothing today
yesterday is gone
and tomorrow comes to quickly
	when i look in the mirror 
	i see the lines i drew 
	in the sand and in my life
	a resemblance of a past 
	maybe things are 
	what they appear to be

after all, i am an old man

Copyright © Richard Colbert | Year Posted 2021

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C L Sivaranjani Date: 7/31/2021 5:39:00 AM Simple but amazing poem. Wonderful pen portrait. Ageing is experiencing, it's moulding, shaping us right, as we have to be... Your acceptance and the expression, simply superb Login to Reply

Anisha Dutta Date: 7/30/2021 1:46:00 AM Dear Richard 80% of PS members are old. We are birds of same feather. Have a Good Day Login to Reply

Joseph Spence Sr Date: 7/28/2021 9:39:00 PM Congratulations, and excellent poem, Richard. I love the flow of the words and the impact of the message. I am very proud of you and your poetic proliferation. The descriptive excellence is lovely and sends terrific images. The theme of "Old Man" stands out, and the tone moves the piece down the page with much grace. Great job! Have a fantastic day, and God's richest grace and blessings to you always. –Professor, Ambassador, Dr. Joseph S. Spence Sr. (Epulaeryu Master)! Login to Reply

Andreas Akun Date: 7/28/2021 6:06:00 PM Being old is being bold... the golden moments recaptured, the more grateful you hold. Beautiful poem for everyone. Login to Reply

Milton Robertson Date: 7/28/2021 10:59:00 AM A very good one Login to Reply

Gwendolyn Cloyd Date: 7/28/2021 10:35:00 AM I really enjoyed all your poems. This one sums up so many images of being an older or seasoned being. You made me laugh and reminiscent at the same time. I could not have viewed being at this age in a more appealing light. Thanks for the imagery in all your poems and the truth they tell- Gwen- Login to Reply

Jo Chamberlain Date: 7/28/2021 9:41:00 AM I think your poem is brilliant. I particularly enjoyed the lines 'hide and seek with the the sun and the past' Thank you for sharing. Login to Reply

Ilene Bauer Date: 7/28/2021 8:53:00 AM You have expressed so well the reality that many of us are experiencing, Richard. Wonderfully written! Login to Reply

Ronald D Thompson Date: 7/28/2021 8:27:00 AM Very relatable. Thoroughly enjoyable read. Login to Reply

John Gondolf Date: 7/28/2021 8:21:00 AM I can relate to every word, Richard, this is one of the better pieces on aging that I have read. Nicely penned. John Login to Reply

Peter Rees Date: 7/28/2021 8:19:00 AM Oh my goodness, this almost hurts, it’s so truthful. You’ve said so much, so well. I know, because I too am an old man. Well done. Login to Reply

Jan Allison Date: 7/2/2021 5:16:00 PM Richard one of the most moving touching pieces of poetry i have read in a long time and as Ruby says just think of the positives of the wealth of experience you have to pass on to others, adding this gem to my faves - my hubby took early retirement because of his cancer and our lives are busier now then when we worked, your line about every day is saturday and not getting jobs finished is true but because we have other thigs to do:-) hugs jan xx Login to Reply

Ruby Kelly Date: 6/1/2021 11:11:00 AM Oh, Richard. Growing older is not as bad as it may seem! Think of all the stories you can tell others and all the advice that you will be able to give. You may not be as agile as you once were, but the experience you gain as you age could never be replaced or traded with anything in the world. Love your writing, Richard, and I hope you feel better soon. - Ruby. Login to Reply

Gary Radice Date: 5/31/2021 4:53:00 AM Richard, I know I am growing older because I have started to walk with my hands behind my back. :) You may be getting older but you, sir, have the gift of being able to write great poetry. I particularly love the line "every day became Saturday." I took early retirement and look at things this way: I only retired between 9 - 5 five days a week. Great read! Cheers - Gary Login to Reply

L Milton Hankins Date: 5/30/2021 5:57:00 PM I can relate, Richard...almost! I think every day when I look into a mirror that "maybe things [really] are what they appear to be." It's gutwrenching! Login to Reply