L. J. Carber Poet Free verse

When Sedate Age Remembers Crazy Youth

I'm a child of the '60's,
not quite a flower child, 
never really a hippie
(though my ponytail
drove my uncle nuts!)
but still I ate the ever
crunchy Beatles for 
breakfast, lunch, dinner 
and roasted the Stones
whenever a lady came by.

I was free then or so
I told myself, free 
to travel the world,
free to love and 
then, inevitably,
always leave--
free to dream and 
free to fail it seemed.

I owned only myself
but I owed no one--
both big mistakes
illusions really, for
we own nothing 
save our souls,
we owe everything
to everyone, most 
of all we owe God,
be we Baptist or 
Hindu, Catholic or
Jew, Muslim or
atheist:we owe.

Most young ones
learn in time--
we are not free,
we are not strong,
we are not whole.
We hunger for
more than food,
we thirst for 
more than water,
we need more 
than money, and 
we need more 
than our minds.

We are the animal 
never sated, never
full, never replete.
We are the animal
ever restless, sooo
easily bored, even
of life sometimes.

Is that why we argue
and fight, commit
pointless crimes,
end long marriages,
spurn our friends,
chase youth when
youth has become
less than a dream?

Is that really why 
nations go to war,
because of boredom?
We do we always
feel we are missing 
out on something?

Now that I am old,
I have no answers.
I thought I would
by now, I thought
I'd understand
myself, you, well,
everyone! And I
would know just
why I was so dumb
when I was young,
but I don't even
know why I am
so foolish old....


[written and posted 11/14/20]

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Suzanne Delaney December 13, 2020 at 6:27 AM Excellent musings on this subject and Congratulations on your top placement. I wrote one back in 2013 exploring a similar theme. Here is the link. SuZ https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/talking_to_myself_488956 L. J. Carber December 13, 2020 at 7:44 PM Thank you Suzanne, I much appreciate it!

Andrea Dietrich November 22, 2020 at 5:13 PM I love this!! Just one thing though (I am a person who can say, I am very rarely bored!!) L. J. Carber November 23, 2020 at 8:31 AM Thanks Andrea--I don't get bored either, there is so much to read, listen to, watch-- books, music, movies!!!

Carolyn Devonshire November 19, 2020 at 9:57 AM This is awesome, L.J. It is so deserving of its first-place win! You gave your readers a lot to think about. I used to think I'd get wiser as I got older too. Big mistake. Enjoyed your poem. Congratulations! L. J. Carber November 23, 2020 at 8:30 AM Thanks Carolyn-- I guess we have to redefine 'wisdom'....

Eve Roper November 17, 2020 at 4:14 PM Congratulations on your win in Silent One's contest. Hugs Eve L. J. Carber November 18, 2020 at 2:15 PM Thank you, Eve

Anne-Lise Andresen November 17, 2020 at 12:31 PM - A powerful poem ... mixed with a little humor ... no one was super wise in their youth ... life journey is a "school", L J :) - Congratulations on your 1st place in the contest :) - // Anne-Lise :) L. J. Carber November 18, 2020 at 2:14 PM Thank you, Anne-Lise!

Silent One November 17, 2020 at 9:55 AM Now this is a brilliant poem LJ< and what a journey you take the reader, a real insight into your soul and what made you what you are today... Congratulations on your first place in the contest.. L. J. Carber November 18, 2020 at 2:14 PM Thank you S.O.-- my own 'soul' awareness' was paid for with good deal of suffering when I was a young man, but I thank God every day that I became aware--of Him, eternity, and the gift of immortality to our sentient species.

Susan Ashley November 15, 2020 at 6:19 PM L. J., I adore your intimate introspection and admire your gifted pen, which is both profound and potent. I so love your last stanza, a grand finale to a deep, exquisite piece! A fav!! Your artistry shines with brilliance, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan L. J. Carber November 18, 2020 at 2:10 PM Thank you Susan, but you're making me blush!!!

Geoffrey Brewer November 15, 2020 at 2:23 PM As one who lived through all that craziness - general and personal, I can share a lot of your observations. Yes, I think we humans love problems, though we deny it. A consolation of age that you point to, is an awareness of our own stupidity - past (maybe more so) and present. L. J. Carber November 18, 2020 at 2:10 PM Ah, so true, Geoff--we don't get wiser, we just know how dumb we are!

Vijay Pandit November 14, 2020 at 8:32 AM This is a powerful write, LJ. Much depth you explore in your thoughts. L. J. Carber November 15, 2020 at 10:01 AM Thank you, Vijay, my fellow seeker and soul brother-- much appreciated!