Weathered

Diminished by age, a weathered existence limps Crutching dimmed vision and impaired limbs, Much wiser that before, it speaks wisdom words Entertaining grandkids in stories that enlighten, Wishing the time to destiny would stop rushing Reminiscing adoringly in yesteryears’ springs As exuberance of yore in travails of life recedes, Recalling seasons pristine, ravishing, blossoming When youth ruled meadows of blazing revelry, Reckoning lately though, how summer parches lilies And winter freezes perishing autumnal leaves, Unsure whether sunlit-dawn tomorrow brings, If life’s graying themes can still invoke dreams~ As blunt reality confronts passions embellished. Yet, life emulates pride of battered old oak tree Mangled and broken, withering in gusty winds But, standing steadfastly aiming for centuries Rejoicing birds frolicking, concert of hatchlings, And it too sways merrily ignoring bleak warnings Beckoning alluringly reluctant, fading feelings To tango in ballroom of life for yet one more spin, Conjuring ancient images of renaissance in Italy~ The Colosseum, statues, galleries full of paintings Pulsating forever, beyond bounds of mortality Weathered, yet standing, as battered old oak tree And aged-existence that defiantly keeps ticking. November 24, 2021 Placed 2nd: “W” New Poems Poetry Contest Sponsor: Constance La France Theme: Weathered

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Paula Goldsmith

Date: 12/14/2021 11:16:00 AM

Congratulations on your "W" win. Your "Weathered" is a wonderful write. Have a blessed day...................

Joseph May

Date: 12/1/2021 2:47:00 AM

A splendid write Vijay, I like the analogy of the oak and the man, both weathering the storms of life..

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/5/2021 5:27:00 AM

Thank you Joseph.

Constance La France

Date: 11/29/2021 1:58:00 PM

Vijay, congratulations on your Second Place in in my "W" New Poems Contest. Your poem is wonderful ~ peace and tranquility _Constance

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/30/2021 11:56:00 AM

Thank you Constance. Much appreciate.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 11/29/2021 11:23:00 AM

I love how you ended your poem with the arts…beyond the bounds of mortality…perhaps they exist to show us their is an existence after death.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/30/2021 11:56:00 AM

Thank you Kim--much appreciate.

Supraja Kannan

Date: 11/29/2021 6:12:00 AM

Awesome poetry... So many beautiful lines and imagery in this amazing verse... A winner for sure and a favourite for me...

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/30/2021 11:56:00 AM

Much appreciate Supraja. Special thank you for the FAVE.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 11/29/2021 1:39:00 AM

A lovely write with your unique imagery in your special style, Vijay, congratulations:)

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/30/2021 11:55:00 AM

Thank you Jo.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 11/28/2021 2:25:00 AM

An Ode to language! A Hymn to poetry , my dearest friend, Vijay! Blessings.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/30/2021 11:55:00 AM

Thank you Demetrios.

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 11/27/2021 2:57:00 PM

You always tell your story through your poetry using every word and phrase, to make us feel and ponder, thank you for sharing Vijay, hope your keeping well :)

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/30/2021 11:55:00 AM

Thank you Vienna.

Mike Gentile

Date: 11/27/2021 5:38:00 AM

Weathered yet beautiful and defiant of the ravages of time! That is the message I am receiving from your beautiful poem Vijay. A lovely take on the theme, well done! Happy Saturday!

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:54:00 AM

Thank you Mike. Glad you stooped by. Much appreciate your kind remarks.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 11/27/2021 4:38:00 AM

Somehow from your poetry that I read and so enjoy, not only have I noticed you so love nature and its beauty that God created Vijay, together with all its wonderful colors that you describe, but I think you loved dancing also. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:54:00 AM

Much appreciate your visit and comments, Jennifer--many thanks.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/26/2021 7:15:00 PM

great writing, Vijay. It was not an easy theme but you came through with flying colors. Congrats

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:53:00 AM

Thanks, Again.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/26/2021 7:12:00 PM

Thanks for your comment on my weep poem. Let me read yours now

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:53:00 AM

Thank you Andrea.

Heidi Sands

Date: 11/26/2021 2:33:00 PM

I missed this great poem. Congratulations for your win Vijay! :)

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:53:00 AM

Thank you Heidi.

Jan Allison

Date: 11/26/2021 7:29:00 AM

A wonderful journey through the seasons of life, I feel like a tired creaky oak after covid, but wil, rejuvenate I time, many congratulations on your win Vijay, hugs jan xx

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:52:00 AM

Much appreciate your visit and comments, Jan. Many thanks.

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 11/25/2021 8:19:00 PM

Life is beautiful, isn’t it? Body ephemeral withers and soul eternal within glows! Congrats on your win with this outstanding work, Vijay

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:52:00 AM

Thank you US--much appreciate.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/25/2021 3:38:00 PM

Deeply moving, Vijay. The thoughts you've expressed on youth and on aging resonate so well with me. It's as if you somehow took a snapshot of my mind. Best always, Gershon

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:51:00 AM

Much appreciate, Gershon--many thanks.

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 11/25/2021 2:34:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, Vijay. This is another fabulous and profound one from your talented pen. Love all, especially the last stanza - "Weathered, yet standing, as battered old oak tree And aged-existence that defiantly keeps ticking". Best wishes ~ Mala

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/27/2021 6:51:00 AM

Thank you Mala. Much appreciate.

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 11/25/2021 7:50:00 AM

I always like how you begin your poem... and you never discourage the readers Vijayji... when they expect one masterpiece after another from you... This is another one from your inspiring ink... In this poem, my fav line would be: "if life's graying themes can still invoke dreams". Loved the " concert of hatchlings" too... and the metaphor of the battered old oak tree... just brilliant... Win BIG... God bless... ~ Ani

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/25/2021 8:15:00 AM

Much appreciate, Ani. Much joy to receive such a delightful feedback from a gifted poet. Glad you like the poem--and your favorite line (graying themes) felt so right when I wrote it. Many thanks, as always, for your visit and comments.

Bill Baker

Date: 11/25/2021 6:58:00 AM

WEATHERED, was an overwhelming introduction to your poetry, Vijay. This is my first visit of many. I could feel the wisdom of the aging oak as shared the reflections experienced as one ages. I loved your use of metaphors and personification. I sense you have a deep understanding of the process of aging in life and have learned many of life's lessons. This will be a favorite and I'll be adding your name to my favorites list. Thanks for sharing through poetry. Bill

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/25/2021 7:35:00 AM

I am very glad to have visited your home page Bill. The quotes on your home page speak boldly of your intellect and so do you poems. Much appreciate your kind remarks. Many thanks for your first visit and I am looking forward to many more. A special treat to receive a FAVE from someone as talented as you. A special thank you for the FAVE. I too have added you to my list and am looking forward to reading your insightful poems.

Valsa George

Date: 11/25/2021 5:43:00 AM

A poem with a classical feel composed with ripe maturity. As we progress in age, we leave behind the revelry of youth, but grow sedate and sagacious. Instead of lamenting over the impaired vision and stiff limbs, here we see the image of graceful aging finding the scope for another spin. As the ancient monuments pulsate beyond bounds of mortality, I feel your poems will stay indelible, ticking with life.

Valsa George
Date: 11/26/2021 4:58:00 AM

Congratulations Vijay on your prestigious win !

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/25/2021 6:38:00 AM

Honor to hear such eloquent words from you my friend. Your vocabulary always so impressive-- as your poems are. Much appreciate your detailed feedback, always inspiring. Many thanks, Valsa.

Sotto Poet

Date: 11/25/2021 5:30:00 AM

Emotional and undulating lines. Vijay, Several of the words in my repertoire fall short of expressing the power of these stanzas and the entire poem! Ultimately, a lovely ballad with beautiful metaphors and correlations. I wish you the best of luck in the contest.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/25/2021 6:34:00 AM

So nice to hear that from you my friend. Your expressive feedback so very elegant as always. Many thanks, Lasaad.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 11/25/2021 5:21:00 AM

What a spectacular journey through the seasons of life Vijay! A beautiful reflective piece. I enjoyed the comparison of the aging tree and the aging paintings, both beautiful still. Best wishes for a wonderful win my friend. Blessings xxoo

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/25/2021 6:32:00 AM

Glad to see you again my friend. Much appreciate your thoughtful comments, Connie. Many thanks for stopping by. Hope you are feeling better as time passes. Sending my goodwill thoughts your way. Wishing you good wealth and better days ahead.

Harry Horsman

Date: 11/25/2021 4:52:00 AM

Wonderful 'w' poem, Vijay, love where you are coming from here within classic lines of your creation.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/25/2021 6:29:00 AM

So nice to hear Harry. Much appreciate your visit and comments. Many thanks. Have a great day!

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 11/25/2021 1:09:00 AM

Loved the journey of man rushing through life from blazing revelry to graying themes. But all in all a positive poem with the usual great imagery and choice of metaphors. Best for a win.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/25/2021 6:27:00 AM

Thank you Victor for your presence and your guidance to so many. Much appreciate as always your visit and comments.

Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 11/24/2021 11:51:00 PM

"Wishing the time to destiny would stop rushing Reminiscing adoringly in yesteryears’ springs"! "Weathered, yet standing, as battered old oak tree And aged-existence that defiantly keeps ticking."! Eloquent, full of emotion, striking lines.. All the adjectives in my glossary unable to capture in words the power of these lines and the enormous potency of the whole poem! You have stunningly rendered in your very artistic feel and sensitive poetry the capability of beautiful souls to weather life seasons without allowing the heart and mind to wither! An immense pleasure to read your gem, dear Vijay.. A fave and a masterpiece deserving of an outstanding win! My deepest regards and blessings.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 11/25/2021 6:25:00 AM

Your comments are so wonderfully uplifting my friend. A joy to read your thoughts. A "gem" from you is a treat and the FAVE is even more so. Can't thank you enough for being there, Besma. Much appreciate. My deepest regards.