L Milton Hankins Poet Terzanelle

On Aging

Good news, bad news – more coming each day
Seems my neighbors keep me duly informed
About someone younger recently passing away.

I hear about the children being born deformed
Someone thinks I’d be their perfect officiant
Seems my neighbors keep me duly informed.

I’m thinking my opinions are no longer relevant
I’m outspoken, folks want to know what I meant
Someone thinks I’d be their perfect officiant.

With age comes arthritis and swallowing mint
My daily junk mail is increasing exponentially
I’m outspoken, folks want to know what I meant.

I suppose I’ll escape all the claptrap eventually
Hopefully, I’ll come to a place of peaceful rest,
[Did I mention] junk mail increasing exponentially.

In the meantime, I’m sincerely doing my best
Good news, bad news – more coming each day
Hopefully, I’ll come to a place of peaceful rest
About someone younger recently passing away.

Written August 10, 2022

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Caren Krutsinger August 12, 2022 at 9:01 PM For a somber-some poem, this one had a jazzy, happy, upbeat cadence! Read to me like a song Hank.

Michael Tor August 11, 2022 at 6:01 PM Age has some benefits but physically it can take its toll on us. The good is the knowledge one acquires over time and life experiences the bad is all the health issues. I try to remember Milton when I have a bad day physically. There are others in the world that have it a lot worse than I do. Have a good day my friend... L Milton Hankins August 11, 2022 at 6:36 PM Indeed, Michael. When I have an onset of gout and my left arm feels like it will drop off, I try to remember that there are many men who would love to have my arm with gout. When I walk and my hip kills me, I try to remember some folks would give anything to have my hip! There are always those people who are worse off than we are.

Gershon Wolf August 10, 2022 at 6:42 PM As long as 'junk thoughts' don't increase exponentially... You can always toss the mail. Heh, heh! ~ Aging Gratefully L Milton Hankins August 10, 2022 at 7:02 PM What kind of junk are you thinking about, gw?

Jennifer Proxenos August 10, 2022 at 1:46 PM Yup we can't beat the clock - age creeps up and time leaps away in seconds. Great poem Milton, how true your poem is. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. L Milton Hankins August 10, 2022 at 1:49 PM Thank you so much, Jennifer. I really appreciated your thoughtful comment.

I Am Anaya August 10, 2022 at 12:09 PM The fountain of youth's as dull as paint. Methuselah is my patron saint. I'm glad I'm not young anymore...by Lerner and Loewe (GIGI). Milton, a note to say that I loved everything about "Ashes on the Snow," especially The End Of Ol' Sam. If Greenwitch has been published, is it available? ~Anaya L Milton Hankins August 10, 2022 at 12:23 PM Greenswitch has not been published and, unfortunately, the manuscript was lost a couple of years ago when our basement flooded. I have the story line in my head and have thought about rewriting it, but, I havent' gotten around to it. I certainly appreciate your thoughts on "Ashes on the Snow." It is still selling fairly well.

Tom Cunningham August 10, 2022 at 10:48 AM Keep young in mind, that's my motto, yes tasks take a bit longer to perform. But there's a plus, we're a lot wiser. Tom L Milton Hankins August 10, 2022 at 12:23 PM So true, Tom. So true!