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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

Date: 8/12/2022 9:01:00 PM

For a somber-some poem, this one had a jazzy, happy, upbeat cadence! Read to me like a song Hank.

Michael Tor

Date: 8/11/2022 6:01:00 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
Date: 8/11/2022 6:36:00 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

Date: 8/10/2022 6:42:00 PM

As long as 'junk thoughts' don't increase exponentially... You can always toss the mail. Heh, heh! ~ Aging Gratefully

L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/10/2022 7:02:00 PM

What kind of junk are you thinking about, gw?

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 8/10/2022 1:46:00 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
Date: 8/10/2022 1:49:00 PM

Thank you so much, Jennifer. I really appreciated your thoughtful comment.

I Am Anaya

Date: 8/10/2022 12:09:00 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
Date: 8/10/2022 12:23:00 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

Date: 8/10/2022 10:48:00 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
Date: 8/10/2022 12:23:00 PM

So true, Tom. So true!