Senility's Tightrope Co-Write With Paul Callus

She sits in silence at the end of day
Beside the fire that barely warms the air
Her mind in anguish, threads that tend to fray
Companionless, within a room austere.

	Like a carousel swirling around me
	Are faces, places, traces of my life
	These disjointed images confound me
	Recollections sliced by a jagged knife.

The curtains drawn; the door chains are in place
Her thoughts are roaming down the paths of night
A hint of sadness settles on her face
As shadows flicker in the waning light.

	There was a man, can’t remember his name
	But such fine features graced his handsome face
        My wild, young heart his soothing words would tame
	As I danced with him in chantilly lace.
	
She can’t help thinking of the years that pass
The complications of advancing age
Life hard to handle just like fragile glass
Progressive weakness in initial stage.

	How easily we swayed across the floor
	Effortlessly as an orchestra played
	An oceanside hall at some unknown shore
	Lord knows, I felt like such a lucky maid!
	
She fears the fading of a priceless stock
Each recollection slipping from her grip
Memorabilia gathered round the clock
Accumulated in her lifetime trip.

	Oh, to feel young and pain-free one more time
	But this man’s gone now, and with him, my hope
	My mind wanders back to days of my prime
	As I tread on senility’s tightrope.



*Poem co-written by Paul Callus and Carolyn Devonshire
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018


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Date: 4/26/2018 1:58:00 PM
Hello Carolyn and Paul,you both did a great job on this poem. I felt like i was there watching his act. have a nice day my friend.
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Paul Callus
Date: 6/3/2018 3:46:00 PM
Hi Darlene, thank you for reading and liking. Both Carolyn and myself are very pleased with your visit. Regards
Date: 4/11/2018 6:10:00 PM
A beautiful collaboration Carolyn and Paul, I have read another one of yours a while ago.. Deliquescence: To Thaw a Frozen Heart.. and it was as outstanding as this is. A seamless write, thoroughly enjoyed....Maria xx
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Callus Avatar
Paul Callus
Date: 6/3/2018 3:45:00 PM
Thank you for finding the time to read some of our poems, Maria, and for the lovely feedback. Truly appreciated, including this fav! Regards // paul
Williams Avatar
Maria Williams
Date: 4/11/2018 6:16:00 PM
And a FAVE...Maria
Date: 4/8/2018 8:31:00 AM
Beautiful collaboration. I really enjoyed it! All the best to both of you... hugs :)
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Callus Avatar
Paul Callus
Date: 6/3/2018 3:43:00 PM
Thank you very much Akkina:) Hope you're keeping well. Regards paul
Date: 4/5/2018 4:17:00 PM
Hi Carolyn:) At last I have found the time to come over and thank you for collaborating with me once again. Always a pleasure to mix ink with you. Also, many thanks to those who have stopped by to read and leave such delightful comments. Take care...Hugs // paul
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Date: 4/5/2018 2:47:00 PM
What a splendid collaboration from two of my favorite poets! One can't escape the inevitability of age creeping up, but memories hold such joy. Beautifully and poignantly composed. Bravo! xxoo
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Date: 4/4/2018 6:39:00 PM
wow, you came back to SOUP so STRONG with this impressive collaboration with Paul. What a great job you guys did, capturing her sadness and hopelessness.
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Date: 4/3/2018 12:59:00 PM
One of the best collaborations I have read.. I believe these are feelings many of us will go through at one moment in our life...
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Date: 4/3/2018 11:05:00 AM
Wonderful collaboration Carolyn, such intense, sensitive, lovely words you two have woven into a brilliant piece. Thank you...
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Date: 4/3/2018 2:32:00 AM
Excellent A sensitively penned poem on aging. Well done. Thanks for sharing it.
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Date: 4/2/2018 6:55:00 PM
What a wonderful collaboration. Bravo to both poets. This was beautifully written and so wonderful to read. Thank you for sharing.
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Date: 4/2/2018 6:22:00 PM
Just dropped by to read your poem, hon - love it
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Date: 4/2/2018 6:21:00 PM
Beautiful, sensitive write, both of you - you always write so well together
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Date: 4/2/2018 5:14:00 PM
Congrats Paul and Carolyn, such a sensitively penned poem on aging, your words gave me a huge lump in my throat especially when i think of the people in mum's care home:-( adding to my faves:-) hugs Jan xx
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Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 4/2/2018 5:34:00 PM
Thank you, Jan. I hope your mother is doing well. Quite a few of my friends have close relatives whose memories are fading.
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