Dan Cwiak Poet Rhyme

Reduced To Tears

Now that I am in my sixties,
I look back on my life like the Sinatra song.
I was working and busy until a few years ago,
but then I fell, and everything went wrong.

When I was in my fifties,
I was in the start of a new career.
It wasn't what I wanted to do,
but at that point, it was the only path that was clear.

When I was in my forties,
Life seemed to be in the pink.
Little did I know,
it would soon all go down the drink.

When I was in my thirties,
my life was on the upswing.
A second love had saved my life,
I had a good job, a beautiful wife, and a new child from the hospital to bring.

When I was in my twenties,
Young and in love like a fool.
Dating and romancing and feeling life,
all while I was putting myself through school.

Way back when I was ten,
The kids on the block...we were always on the run.
Except when I was in school,
Learning the three "R's" from those persistent nuns.

I do not remember much before the age of five.
I did what most kids do I suppose.
Learning about the world one day at a time,
Never realizing how fast time really goes.

So here I am reflecting,
on all those sixty-plus years.
Remembering the growth, the loves, the ambitions,
A life of what could have been, now reduced to tears.

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Ralph Sergi February 20, 2016 at 8:52 AM Hi Dan: A beautiful poem. Hang in there. at your stage you can dismiss all the dire stuff to a new reality. Your'e still alive! Dan Cwiak February 20, 2016 at 6:34 PM Thank you, Ralph. I seem to wake to that reality every day, hence the title...lol. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment very much.

Susan Gentry February 18, 2016 at 11:09 AM Congratulations on your win with this clever trip back in time. I like how you went back in 10's. Excellent expression. Sad ending... Dan Cwiak February 18, 2016 at 1:00 PM Thanks, Susan. I started to think about myself at ten, and then 20, then 30 and on. When I got to the present, it only seemed right to express it going backwards in time. Your comments are much appreciated.

Beautiful Scars February 17, 2016 at 9:39 AM Congrats on your placement :)-luloo *smiles* Dan Cwiak February 18, 2016 at 12:42 PM Thanks very much for your comments and read, Laura.

Poet Destroyer A February 17, 2016 at 9:25 AM Dan, Congratulations on your nice win. LINDA Dan Cwiak February 18, 2016 at 12:42 PM Thanks, Linda. I haven't been writing much lately because of other commitments. I hope to be back soon. I always appreciate your comments, as you know.

Nette Onclaud February 17, 2016 at 8:09 AM big congrats on your shining win, dan!..huggs Dan Cwiak February 18, 2016 at 12:46 PM Thanks for the kind words, Nette. Dan Cwiak February 18, 2016 at 12:40 PM Thank you Nette, for your kind words.

Lin Lane February 17, 2016 at 5:47 AM Dan. I'm glad you're here and sharing your poetry with us, and a winning one with this great write. Congratulations. Dan Cwiak February 18, 2016 at 12:37 PM Thank you Lin. I am glad that I can be here to share what I can with others. Your comment is much appreciated.

Daniel Turner February 16, 2016 at 9:44 PM Back to say congratulations and thank you for letting us into your childhood memories. We've come a long way. Bless your memories. Peace:) Dan Cwiak February 18, 2016 at 12:36 PM Thanks, Dan. Sometimes I wonder if I too a wrong turn somewhere along the road.

Kelly Deschler February 16, 2016 at 8:40 PM I liked how you wrote from different times during your life, not just at ten years old. I was really moved by these tender lines... Congrats on a win with this wonderful poem! Thanks for entering, Dan :) Dan Cwiak February 18, 2016 at 12:35 PM Thanks Kelly. I appreciate your read and comments.

Daniel Turner February 5, 2016 at 10:14 AM Dan, as i was reading your beautiful poem, I was right there with you on a parallel road. At this point in our lives it's bittersweet is it not? we must persevere and look for the sun tomorrow. Great write. Dan Cwiak February 6, 2016 at 8:47 AM Thanks, Dan. I agree that so much of our lives passes without our ever thinking about it until we are closer to the end than the beginning that it becomes bittersweet when we do think on it. As you say, we must look for the new sun of tomorrow and not sway in that thinking, but persevere. Thanks for the read and your heartfelt comment.

Old Man Emu January 30, 2016 at 1:10 PM I agree with Andrea, the reversal of time, great job. Cheers, Craig Dan Cwiak January 31, 2016 at 6:19 PM Thank you so much, Craig. I appreciate your reading it and comment very much. If you read my response to her, perhaps you will understand where I began to think about the structure. Thanks, again, for the read and comment.

Andrea Dietrich January 29, 2016 at 8:32 PM Dan, I love the unique way you did your challenge of writing this one. Going backward in time. that was really enjoyable, and yes, the 30's and 40's, those were some REALLY good times, as well as the 10's!! Dan Cwiak January 31, 2016 at 6:15 PM Thanks, Andrea. Sometimes we think only of the future, but as a student of history and archeology, I have often looked to the past to find meaning in the life we have today. Perhaps that is why a lot of my poetry deals with memories in life. It seems that the best times are those of our 30's and 40's because we have maturity, but are still young enough to have fun. I appreciate your comment very much.

Hansteven Selfa January 27, 2016 at 7:45 AM A great poem to start up my day :) Dan Cwiak January 27, 2016 at 6:00 PM Thank you Hansteven. I'm glad your day was brightened by my words. Yours have certainly brightened mine.