Best Oldsters Poems
The seashore is a wondrous stage, for in the sun's delight,
I sit and watch a play unfold- it's there within my sight!
Those beauties, young with golden tans, demurely sashay by
In search of those admiring eyes that peep so deft and sly.
While young dudes with their virile forms and sun-bleached wavy hair,
Strut back and forth so confident with sort of haughty air.
Small children, filling up their pails, build castles made of sand,
While fathers take a break from rest to lend a helping hand.
And mothers being what they are- in their protective lots,
Are ever rubbing suntan cream on freckled, sunburned tots.
Those chunky mid-life guys and gals packed tight in swim attire
Add so much fullness to the scene, for those to see, admire!
And oldsters wrapped up tight and snug to shield from wind and sun,
With eyes shut under hats of straw, in dreamland have their fun!
At water's edge, the tame are found, waves rolling at their feet;
While further out, some brave the swells to make their fun complete.
And there, up high on pedestals, bronzed lifeguards oversee
With ever watchful, cautious eyes, the shore's activity.
And here I sit, a spectator, relaxed this summer day-
But, am I too a character to those who look my way?
April 20, 2015
Premiere Contest: My Favorite Vacation In Rhyme
Sponsor: L Milton Hankins
Categories:
oldsters, beach, humor,
Form:
Rhyme
Topics of conversation seem to change as we approach maturity.
As kids we talked of love - now it's lumbago and social security!
It once was enlightening to simply discuss the weather,
But now it's a litany of their ills when oldsters get together!
When a teen we bragged about that first voluptuous kiss.
Now all we can do is talk about such and lamentably reminisce!
Girls whispered amongst themselves and cast a furtive glance,
At the high school "hunk" pining for a torrid romance!
In our courting days, sweet talk we'd whisper in the other's ear.
Now it seems we must yell to be heard unlike in yesteryear!
As married folks we debated about money, bills and kids,
Exasperating table-pounding sessions where we'd flip our lids!
Seems that no matter where senior brethren congregate,
With each other their aches and pains they must enunciate,
Discussing the woes of arthritis, phlebitis and laryngitis,
Bronchitis, bursitis, gingivitis, dermatitis and gastritis!
I reckon I could simply say, "Gee, you're looking swell!"
Then perhaps upon these gloomy topics they might not dwell.
I enjoy repartee with folks about religion, politics and sports,
But talk of doom and gloom leaves me sorta outta sorts!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
oldsters, funny, high school,
Form:
Rhyme
My lifetime friend, I feel so odd.
I'm not insured for acts of God.
Everything, it seems, is lost or gone.
I can't feel the ground I stand upon.
Today, we oldsters sat down to look
inside your yellow paged scrapbook.
I saw a picture and letter there.
I was frozen and could only stare.
You, I'm sure, didn't want me to see
the familiar face that gazed at me.
Of course, it was my only wife,
the only true love of my life.
Love's sad lesson learned in one day,
I'll see myself to the door, okay?
I thought stories had two sides, you see,
but triangles all have three.
Categories:
oldsters, jealousy, marriage,
Form:
Rhyme
Santa! Oh, Santa! Please listen to me. It’s for Dragon! I’m begging you, please!
Dragon didn't mean to be naughty! He’s crying! He’s even down, on his knees!
Christmas is coming! He wants to be nice! Heaven knows what, he’ll do next!
It’s been quite a week! Beyond his control! And, of course, you know, the rest!
First, he swooped in to help an old Lady, as she tried to walk across a street.
But the wind from his wings; caught her and blew her away, and into a heap!
He volunteered: as a candy stripper, helping patients, at a hospital, without reward.
No smoking allowed, with the seriously ill, his Fire blew up, that one LITTLE ward.
He raked all the leaves for old Mister Brown, for free; who was so very, pleased.
He gave Dragon an at-a boy! And added a slap on his back, making him sneeze.
Which startled a spark, from Dragons great mouth. It’s a pity… what they say…
Mr. Brown’s house won’t be finished rebuilding, till… next spring and a day.
Dragon helped with the neighborhood school playground… monitoring the swings.
Upon hearing the comment, “I want to go higher”, they found Space, was achieved.
Now, sad and so lost, Dragon checked out a place, Google Earth had blurred out…
Jets forced him down, it was a secret location, now wiki-leaks-men run, all about.
At an Old Folks Picnic, Dragon grabbed 2 oldsters, then sat on a 3rd, one windy day.
Stopping them from being blown away, the 3rd leaves intensive care, soon, they say.
Baby sitting, a baby that kept crying, Dragon grew so upset, smoke billowed forth.
The firemen decided, until his smoke is under control, ‘no babysitting’, henceforth!
Santa is great! This we all definitely know! To get all these problems under control...
He said ‘don’t try so hard!’ As he found Dragon’s heart not only nice, but pure gold!
Peace was ensured, as he sent Dragon home… for his family to enjoy, and to enfold!
Now life will be better, for all! I’m sure!… Or so I do hope, to behold!
But… Pardon me, Santa… Did you just… say?… He’s officially nice, in your view?
Santa, perhaps a warning is due. His wish list, 2 miles long, is coming to you!
For all, it’d been quite a week, mission accomplished, as Santa gave a knowing wink!
‘Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! Peace on Earth’, even with Dragon around, me-thinks.
Categories:
oldsters, christmas, family, fantasy, fun,
Form:
Light Verse
Why can't I be the real me
Instead of putting on airs to impress
If I really didn't care what people thought
I could go to the mall in a dress
Right away I'd be labeled as kinda unusual
To say the least I'd be mocked
Teenagers would all point and chuckle at me
Oldsters would be totally shocked
Imagine as well if I dyed my hair green
With lipstick a dark shade of pink
Not saying I'd ever resort to such nonsense
But it sure would make people blink
To shock everyone with bizarre behaviour
To act like you've gone a bit looney
Imagine the reaction of these real snotty folks
Might think they're filming a movie
There are certainly limits for our behaviour
We can't go naked in the streets
Coz at times when a shapely woman walks by
Oops... this line I had to delete!
© Jack Ellison 2015
Categories:
oldsters, humorous,
Form:
Narrative
Many of we oldsters have already received the covid19 vaccination.
Soon all who want it will receive the shot in states across the nation.
Yet, TV news keeps needlin' us showin' 12 inch needles pokin' the shoulder joint!
You would think by now that we should've all received the "point"!
Categories:
oldsters, health, humorous,
Form:
Couplet
No one at home on Valentine’s Day, our lips were already locked.
Getting used to being alone, our plans would have left you shocked.
Back from vacation, the Basement Trolls came strolling in, our night was lost.
But wait! My Hubby had planned ahead, perhaps we were still star-crossed.
Unleash the Closet Trolls his voice rang out! I’m sending you on patrol!
To the rescue came his brand new chums. The Closet Trolls were in control.
He knew he was ahead, in this game, as he got back to soundly kissing me.
Deflecting the Big Trolls? No Luck, or had you already forgot? You’ll see…
First they decided to chase the squirrels away from around, our window trees.
It began to look a bit like the Circus Soleil, rather than, our bedroom fantasies.
I think we may have started a war, between the Closet Trolls and the squirrels.
This became a possibility, as Trolls fell into the birdbath, as the water swirled.
All we’d meant, was to distract the Basement Trolls, from finding us in progress.
But they came up for a better view, and yep, that was us, they found breathless.
Now giving up on all our plans, Circus Trolleil became the topic of the day.
So we sent the Basement Trolls into the fray, to make peace for all, in any way.
Next year, we’ll convince them to stay, on vacation in the snow another week.
And then the Closet Trolls will be sent to guard the zoo across town, so to speak.
Now don’t be surprised, we’d had a good time… the kisses were really great.
But, a little more would have been a great treat, for oldsters like us, at any rate.
In the mean time, Circus Troleil will be a truly happening thing, coming real soon.
Grandpa Troll made a truce between the squirrels and the Closet Trolls. Thank You!
Now, they practice together every day, for a Vegas debut, soon, with Mac Raccoon.
And Valentines Day can be planned, as a small little get away, later, as opportune.
Categories:
oldsters, fantasy, fun, funny, humor,
Form:
Light Verse
Everybody has these dangly things
On some, methinks you surely could swing
Oldsters have more
At Disneyland for sure
On the roller coaster, to their danglies you could cling
© Jack Ellison 2015
Categories:
oldsters, fun,
Form:
Limerick
So it's back to the days when I was a wee one
Bought a three wheel bike for oldsters, what fun
Now don't you guys laugh
When they write my epitaph
It'll say, “This old geezer was not to be outdone”
© Jack Ellison 2015
Categories:
oldsters, pride,
Form:
Limerick
Main Street had a classic pool hall,
Hustlers, chisellers, and those who like to fool all,
Second-hand stores along the way,
And the old Helen's Grill greasy spoon café.
Now, Main Street's no longer the same;
Developers and yuppies have changed the game.
They say it’s all for common good,
But the oldsters miss their good old neighbourhood.
Categories:
oldsters, change,
Form:
Couplet
We Went To A Movie Today
By Rick Rucker
We went to a movie today,
About two oldsters that had let it slip away,
They still cared about each other,
But were living like sister, and brother,
They had forgotten how to be In Love,
Minds fogged by the daily push and shove,
A wedge driven between their lives,
Turning off their normal drives,
So far afield they had come,
Intimacy, they had run away from,
Reconnecting, such a loathsome task,
That neither had the guts to ask,
So each one paddled his own boat,
Trying to keep it afloat,
Not seeing that, with two on the oars,
It would have lessened, by far, the chores,
As directors are wont to do,
He let them, finally, break through,
And recommit to Love,
Promising to the One Above,
Their fealty, for all Time,
But, isn’t that a crime?
Do we have to lose it all,
Must we stumble, and nearly fall,
Before we can truly see,
That, In Love, is the way to be?
So, before you reach that point,
Your Lover’s body, you should anoint,
With expensive oils, and loving scents,
To be sure, between you, there is no fence.
Tell her what she means to you,
That without her, you would be through,
If you do this right,
You both will have a special night,
When you finally fall asleep,
Each will have the other’s Heart to Keep!
Categories:
oldsters, happiness, love,
Form:
Couplet
No matter how many you’ve had
your birthdays shouldn’t make you sad.
You are free to wear unmatched plaid
and not tolerate fools.
For oldsters not a thing’s forbad.
You’re allowed to break rules.
Don’t worry about growing old.
It is your turn now to be bold.
Be proud of the years you’ve been doled.
It is time to have fun.
Don’t listen to what you’ve been told.
Golden Years have begun.
Won no. 5
Categories:
oldsters, people
Form:
Verse
Rock-a-bye starlets where the Swan flies.
Like earthly Sun, your day will arise.
Bright shall you reign, before your light dies.
So shine in your cradle high in the skies.
Cygnus OB2, the place you dwell
cozily clustered in cloudy shell,
houses a host of oldsters as well,
all with their own stellar story to tell.
With infrared and optic display
coronas viewed through Chandra X-ray
are shown in hues to image portray
five thousand light-years far, in Milky Way.
This source sidereal seems to be
nearer to earthlings relatively
than other founts astronomers see
amid the fruits of their deep scrutiny.
Ofttimes we weary of worlds below,
marvel at sights the heavens bestow,
long for domains beyond those we know,
then might our fancy fly to that tableau.
Rock-a-bye starlets, in cradle nigh.
Your vision splendid gladdens the eye
of dreamers lost who gaze at the sky
wonderingly, with a wish and a sigh…
~ Harley White
* * * * * * * * *
Inspiration for the poem was from article with video and image at Chandra site ~ “Cygnus OB2: Probing a Nearby Stellar Cradle”…
More info from article ~ “A Nearby Stellar Cradle” at NASA site…
Further influence in the crafting of the stanzas derived from ‘Rock-a-bye Baby’, which is a nursery rhyme and lullaby.
Also, Article with image from NASA ~ “A Nearby Stellar Cradle”…
Categories:
oldsters, baby, birth, fantasy, song,
Form:
Verse
Why can't I be the real me
Instead of putting on airs to impress
If I really didn't care what people thought
I could go to the mall in a dress
Right away I'd be labeled as kinda unusual
To say the least I'd be mocked
Teenagers would all point and chuckle at me
Oldsters would be totally shocked
Imagine as well if I dyed my hair green
With lipstick a dark shade of pink
Not saying I'd ever resort to such nonsense
But it sure would make people blink
To shock everyone with bizarre behaviour
To act like you've gone a bit looney
Imagine the reaction of these real snotty folks
Might think they're filming a movie
There are certainly limits for our behaviour
We can't go naked in the streets
Coz at times when a shapely woman walks by
Well... this last line I had to delete!
Categories:
oldsters, mother son,
Form:
Rhyme
I once thought,
in fact I knew,
that I would live to be,
150.
In all my arrogance,
I thought it was simply
a matter of will.
I saw all those oldsters,
staggering around,
with their walkers,
dim eyes and
fearful stares, and thought,
"Oh, they've just given up!
Have a little pride!
Get some discipline!
Do some yoga!
Stay in shape!
Try new things and
for god's sake,
don't wear those silly
old folks clothes!
I was doing pretty well
through my fifties and
enjoyed the
compliments of how
I didn't look my age.
And then one day
I had nothing to say
about the matter.
I done got old.
An ache here
a pain there.
Oh, I'm still fighting,
but it's hard and
mirrors hurt.
I think
that I am going to have
to sneak up on
150
with a
walker.
Categories:
oldsters, funny, introspection, loss,
Form:
Free verse