Same Coin

I cringe at the thought 
 of approaching old age, 
  falling hair, sagging skin, 
   hideous wrinkles and all
    as the reality of mortality
     finally beckons.

     Yet when I look at old photographs
      from my now long gone youth,
       I find to my complete horror
        a malnourished-looking, 
         ninety pound scarecrow!
          was that really me?

           Youth and old age,
            one side of the same coin, 
             neither one preferable to the other.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Agustin Avatar
December 14, 2024 at 9:13 PM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
A   Avatar
March 21, 2016 at 10:20 PM
nice to see this one again, Wilfredo. LINDA
A  Avatar
January 15, 2016 at 9:09 PM
Wilfredo, I like every line of your poem above. Thank you for sharing. ** SKAT **
Martin Avatar
December 19, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Wonderful I love your work so much it always makes me smile your friend Nita
Nair Avatar
June 8, 2011 at 7:34 PM
Very true and philosophical. enjoyed reading.
Mister Roboto Avatar
April 29, 2011 at 1:03 AM
FINE WINE BROTHER ...Fine Wine. You are of the finest vines! ~JSLambert
A   Avatar
April 23, 2011 at 9:58 PM
very talented Wilfredo, enjoyed reading your poem, take care and have your self a happy and safe Easter! always p.d.
Babcock Avatar
April 18, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Hi Fred, this is funny I thought about you this week and here you are. I also seen Sean's name on and that Irish guy has not been on line for sometime either. A few others like Shar and Sue. Hope all is going well with you. Nice to hear from you. Take care. love phyl
Foulk Avatar
March 31, 2011 at 9:55 AM
loved this poem, since i can relate to it, I'm 67 and i know the feeling. this was a very creative piece of poetry and really makes sense.
Babcock Avatar
March 20, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Hi Fred. I see you have not posted for a while and I know that feeling of old age creeping up on us. I hope you are well and things are okay in your world. Just checking. ha ha. I think we all go through a period of brain freeze or maybe it is old age but whatever it is life goes on. I hope you are not working to hard . Take care. love phyl
Derequito Avatar
December 31, 2010 at 6:59 PM
A Happy New Year greetings to all PoetrySoup folks. May you and your loved ones have a peaceful, properous and wonderful 2011. All the best, Fred PS Thank you for the kind thoughts, L'Nass. I'm okay, thank you, just run out of things to write, that's all. The old brain is not functioning very much anymore these past few months, I'm afraid. I hope 2011 will make my poetic motor come to life again! Happy New Year, my friend, and keep writing.
Shango Avatar
December 31, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Fredo, I have not seen nor heard from you in the longest while, I worry if you are OK, my friend. I miss the sincerity of your words, and reality base of your poetry. Let me know you are OK, happy new year!
Babcock Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Hi Fred long time no see. Just thought about you this morning and I though to myself it has been a while since I heard from Fred. I look at myself years ago and I was skinny, young, and now with so many surgeries and thyroid problems I have grown old but then I am 60 next year. Some how I don't feel that old and I think we get a few advantages as the hair gets gray. Can't change time so we grow old gracefully. God Bless Phyl
Dietrich Avatar
June 11, 2010 at 4:17 PM
hmmm, I can definitely say, I want to be young again!!! Because I have gotten a peek over the HILL, and I don't like that view. hahaha. (I am talking physically of course) there are certain advantages to getting older!! Nice writing, Fred. LUv,Andrea
Winter Avatar
June 8, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Hmm......well easy for you to say macho man, as society makes it much tougher for us aging women to look in the mirror. Were there a safe pill to get my 21 year old body back from head to toe I'd take it. Besides, my back is killing me today! So there you go oh wise one : )). Although you may make a point for yourself. lol. Hello Dorito. Feel like I'm stalking you. Just ignore me. xoxo
Brown Avatar
June 4, 2010 at 9:51 AM
This is a great way to start my morning reading poetry. I am glad your poetry was among the poetry I have the pleasure to read today. Wishing you a weekend full of love and inspiration Fred. Love, Carol
Mitchell Avatar
June 4, 2010 at 4:00 AM
Ha! I know what you mean by this write! :) I especially like the ending; "Youth and old age, / one side of the same coin, / neither one preferable to the other.
Nutter Avatar
June 4, 2010 at 3:18 AM
Age is probaly the most humbling experience in a persons life. Growing old beats the alternative. Excellent piece.
Kelly Avatar
June 4, 2010 at 1:44 AM
Yup , Freddie , you got it in ONE !!!! . Getting old , ain't pretty , but it's inevitable . Unless you are Sophia Loren - Raquel Welsh , and I've seen your photos !!! . So get the botox and polyfilla and nip'n tuck . Meanwhile spin that coin ; " Heads , I win ; Tails , you loose !!! Write onnnnnn !!!!
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