Smitten Old Man

SMITTEN OLD MAN

High school year book, 47
I’m not a gad looking guy –
Short hair, sport coat, tie

This remembered as I gaze across the room
She’s sitting at a table near the wall,
Lap top open, ear phones, late and all

She wears a sleeveless blouse
On a cookie now I’m nibbling,
But, my God, her arm! What’s that scribbling?

From distance the appendage looks solid black
Is she weird, some sort of voodoo?
“No, you idiot!” I laugh. “Just a tattoo.”

Through her tangled blond hair a streak of purple,
No cosmetics improve the sallow face,
Clothes, by 40s standards, a national disgrace

I’m smitten – chair seat a bed of nails,
Arthritis rebels, bony hands clutch -
This modern generation, it’s just too much!

Dave Austin
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Maverick Avatar
November 29, 2015 at 9:37 AM
Its all madness I say..' Madness and fleeting awareness, there I've said it and 'twill be the case of someone will have read it..' At some point.. some time place margin or space..'
Lindley Avatar
July 27, 2015 at 11:29 PM
Great poem and I was a 1972 high school graduate that saw plenty of outrageous dress back in the day. Myself, Tats look cool on guy, on a girl I am not a fan of seeing tats. Enjoyed this poem. A7
Yvonne Avatar
October 10, 2014 at 11:56 AM
Love today's youth.
Austin Avatar
October 17, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Wish I had some of it. Love, daver
Kendrick Avatar
October 9, 2014 at 10:06 AM
Cute one, Dave..Changes come don't they and some are good and some so bad..I enjoyed reading this one today..Sara
Deschler Avatar
October 8, 2014 at 5:01 PM
Being a part of the "younger" generation, I understand why they want to look, the way they look. It is just a desire for freedom, to be themselves and be unique. A rebellious attitude has always been attractive.... A very good write, Daver. Well expressed!
Devonshire Avatar
October 8, 2014 at 3:06 PM
Some of the things I see young people doing or wearing these days leave me in awe. Even in her 50s, my brother-in-law's sister has a crimson streak through her dark brown hair. (Blonde or white streak might have looked nice.) Don't get me started on the clothes or tattoos. I think the pierced noses, tongues and eyebrows are the weirdest though. Hey, another time, another place. Love, Carolyn
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