Senility's Tightrope Collab With Cd

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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Ashley Avatar
May 22, 2018 at 1:13 PM
Wow! Your poem is expressed with illuminating sensitivity and with such emotional elegance, Paul. You’ve penned a masterful collaboration with Carolyn and your enlightening poem handles the subject matter with poignant beauty. Exquisite and moving poetry my wonderful friend. Warmest wishes and hugs always. ~Susan
Callus Avatar
May 26, 2018 at 4:17 PM
Thank you Susan. I can assure you that Carolyn too will love your insightful comments! So glad that you were moved by our subject matter. ~ Warm wishes & hugs my friend. // paul
Tripp Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 8:32 AM
Holy Crow! Fantastic collaboration. You two did a work of art together. Fancy footwork and capable pens come to mind.
Callus Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 11:49 AM
Many thanks, Rhoda. Your lovely feedback is truly appreciated:) Regards // paul
Roper Avatar
April 4, 2018 at 9:02 PM
Love this gleaming and well crafted rhyme my friend. Both of you have composed a golden treasure Hugs Eve~`*
Callus Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 4:42 PM
Yours are lovely and generous comments, dear Eve...thank you! I'm sure Carolyn will be pleased to read them, too. Hugs // paul
Dietrich Avatar
April 4, 2018 at 7:34 PM
LIke I told Carolyn, this is SUPER fine. It's obvious how hard you both worked on this and how much feeling you put into it.
Callus Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 4:40 PM
Thank you, Andrea. Once an idea crops up it soon develops into a fully fledged poem, and yes, we both take serious pleasure in co-writing! Regards // paul
One Avatar
April 3, 2018 at 1:32 PM
This is one of the best collabs I have read... A subject that is relavant to many people...
Callus Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 4:27 PM
Your complimentary remarks are appreciated, S-1...thank you. Regards // paul
Cunningham Avatar
April 3, 2018 at 3:05 AM
A beautiful collaboration Paul, the advancing years can be so cruel sometimes. Memories surface then fade. Tom
Callus Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 3:54 PM
Thank you, Tom. You are right...we are free to live in denial, but truth cannot be erased! Regards // paul
Sathasivam Avatar
April 3, 2018 at 1:53 AM
Excellent. Very sensitively penned poem on aging. Age never bothered me either. A great collaboration.
Callus Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 3:52 PM
Thank you for reading and liking, Ravi. Blessed are those who manage to take life and advancing age with a pinch of salt:) Regards // paul
Krampe Avatar
April 3, 2018 at 1:45 AM
Great collaboration, Paul and Carolyn. Such a sad, difficult topic.
Callus Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 3:45 PM
Thank you, Agnes. Many talk about the benefits of old age, yet deep down we know that drawbacks exist, too! Regards // paul
Turner Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 9:25 PM
Living with only memories gets damn lonesome at times. A wonderful collaboration Paul and Carolyn. You two always bring your best when you write together. So nice to hear from you again Carolyn, you are missed. Paul, it's always a pleasure to read your poems. That tightrope is pretty darned crowded Carolyn.
Callus Avatar
April 7, 2018 at 3:23 PM
So glad you enjoyed our combined effort, Danny. It's always a pleasure to work with Carolyn...it's like having a pleasant chat over a nice cup of tea and cake:) As for the tightrope, I'd rather be on this than the one used to cross the Niagara Falls! Regards // paul
Allison Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 5:13 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
Devonshire Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 4:37 PM
Jan, I can't tell you how much your comment meant. Hope your mother is doing well.
Callus Avatar
April 6, 2018 at 3:11 PM
Thank you, Jan. I'm still catching up on accumulated mail! I am sure that this topic is one that many can relate to. Hugs // paul
Devonshire Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 5:08 PM
Just wanted to thank you for writing with me again, Paul. It's always a pleasure.
Callus Avatar
April 5, 2018 at 4:20 PM
The pleasure is mine, Carolyn. It is a gift to be able to inspire and be inspired. Thank you...Hugs // paul
Rodrigues Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 5:04 PM
Well done collaboration on aging! My parents now 79 and 80. I hug them tight everytime I see them. 6AT
Callus Avatar
April 5, 2018 at 4:24 PM
Thank you, Kim. We owe a lot to our parents. Best regards // paul
Devonshire Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 5:46 PM
Yes, be sure to show them the love that's in your heart, Kim. My mother died young and I've always wished I could go back and tell her just one more time how much I love her.
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