The Shadow of Me

It was a long time ago, in another age
Where the shifting of the wind
Knew where I began
A place so far away, 
Somewhere distant, in childhood country
Before the fog had set in,
Before time lost all trace of me

Where have they gone?
Those merry dancers with whom I played?
When we were queens of the carnival, kings of the parade?
Before being dethroned to mid-life corners
Hearing the music, without playing the drums
They tell me to take this age with grace
Yet everywhere I turn, is young

I'm still the same, I have not changed
I lived a time where love was wild and thoughts were too
With high regard, when eyes were glued
Now inside I'm torn in two...the old and the new
Trapped between this nowhere place
Myself and someone else
Until each barrier becomes a bridge...
Have I been shaped too square by passing years, to fit in circle's place?

My memory recalls those beautiful tomorrows
Now long buried in yesterday's ground
There are other ways to measure time
Besides growing older and graying hair
Recorded music fills the room
Left playing from an earlier time
When October skies showed fading traces
Of empty days and sad old faces
The "others" of whom I had no fear

Now those shadowed remnants from my past
Are stalking at my heels
Will somebody care to ask?   Will anyone need my mind?
Is there something they want to tell me?
Will they patronize, or just be kind?

Care enough, make me useful, give me value, call me beautiful?....
Not yet the age I'll someday be
Still, I feel the sting of losing me
How I ache for all those love songs
How I ache for someone needing, someone pleading...
For advice....for my worth, for an answer, will they want me?
How it haunts me.....Will they see me?
Touching me....reminding me of who I am................not just who I was...





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Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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123
Quigley Avatar
July 18, 2016 at 6:35 AM
Great write! I don't feel old, but there sure are more and more folks with a greater claim to youth...
Dom Avatar
July 18, 2016 at 1:47 AM
Carrie, good write here, and to me that last verse is particularly superb.
Onclaud Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 9:32 AM
beautifull quilled with such pathos, carrie... sweet congrats with huggs
Day Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 7:50 AM
Nicely written - finding piece with age. Congrats on your 3rd place win in the Your Best contest! Jesse
Smith Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 12:16 AM
Wow! What a sad lament for worth with age. Congratulations Carrie, so very well done...
A  Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 8:36 PM
Carrie, every line was perfect. Congratulations on your beautiful and deep win. Skat
Arnone Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 7:29 PM
Loved this write. Made me smile. Favorite line: "Trapped between this nowhere place." You should have read, Alvin Toffler's Future Shock -- it might have eased the transition. ;-)
Allison Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 7:12 PM
many congrats on your win Carrie:-) hugs Jan xx
Hamilton Avatar
June 30, 2016 at 8:12 PM
What a wonderful write Carrie, reminds me of my who is that man in the mirror poem, only yours is exquisite. You have a special talent!
Williams Avatar
February 9, 2016 at 10:02 AM
Very beautiful in so many ways. Congrats on your well deserved 1st place win.
Kimathi Avatar
February 9, 2016 at 5:21 AM
Hi Carrie. Congrats on your well, deserved #1 placement in the contest!!! ;-)
George   Avatar
February 8, 2016 at 11:42 PM
BRILLIANT BEYOND ANYTHING I CAN EXPRESS. To my fav's, Carrie. You have captured and expressed exactly the voyage of life and all the feelings and emotions of transgressing from youth to growing old. SENSATIONAL!!! You...dear Carrie are a great poet.
A   Avatar
February 8, 2016 at 9:59 PM
Congrats on your outstanding win. Love LINDA
Scars Avatar
February 8, 2016 at 5:53 PM
Carrie, congrats on your top placement!! *smiles* -luloo
Haight Avatar
February 8, 2016 at 4:36 PM
Wow, Carrie...you have beautifully written everything I am feeling, and I can empathize so well with these emotions. Very powerful and sad. Congratulations on you well-deserved top of the podium win. 7 + Fav. Hugs, Sandra
A  Avatar
July 6, 2015 at 8:24 PM
Carrie, Congratulations on your win, SKAT love
Carter Avatar
July 6, 2015 at 12:07 AM
Beautiful write congrats !
A. Sharma Avatar
July 5, 2015 at 10:40 PM
Beauty of ur pen mesmerises Carrie! Amazing one n congrats on ur win!
A   Avatar
July 5, 2015 at 9:16 PM
Carrie, Congrats on your win. LINDA
Konos Avatar
July 5, 2015 at 9:10 AM
Thank You for entering my contest.
Harrington Avatar
August 22, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Oh, this is marvelous! my fav. line- Still, I feel the sting of losing me- I know that feeling intimately. Congrats on your well deserved win! :) Tanya
Ramage Avatar
August 21, 2012 at 7:55 PM
just beautiful. It reminds me of my Mom, brings tears to my eyes. I love the method of your write. Lovely. Lee
Brown Avatar
August 21, 2012 at 7:10 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved win Carrie. Love, Carol
Williams Avatar
August 19, 2012 at 2:03 AM
Carrie congrats on your win, a good tale of age coming up fast...David
Eastman Avatar
August 18, 2012 at 11:37 AM
This expresses it perfectly. We are the same but different because of how we are preceived and because of our health and bodies slowing us down. We know we are older and wiser... Others just stop seeing us because we are older.
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