Who, here, fears growing old, ungracefully?

Question

Forty MinuteTragedy

By C.S. Scotkin

The day started well enough,

a simple day, nothing rough

until the cell phone rang.

Extra case for you today.

“I don’t mind, sure, OK.’

“I’ll get there about nine”

Old man meets me at the door,

know I’ve seen these eyes before.

These raging . maddened eyes.

From his crazed tirade I shrink,

no escape from this, I think.

I can only let him rant.

Forty long minutes passed

raging rant had only masked

the fear and terror there.

Angry, he, at growing old

no longer can he control

his body, or his life.

Fearing death, he longs for death

of love for life, he is bereft.

he lets me hold his hand.

Fearful anger, angry fear

gone for now, they still are near,

they’ll never go away.

Much less angry now, these eyes

but still filled with fearful skies

that never once will rain.

Answer 1

Age, bring it on! It's all relative anyway. I intend to live with a zest for life. And yes, to cripple my blistering optimism is the fact that life generally sucks, no matter what age you are. But that's no reason to go at it with gusto, and find the poetry in the bad times and the good.

I find this a very moving poem; I absolutely love your works with the shorter stanzas, but I was always a fan of the terse style anyway. You are such a skilled poet and I enjoy reading your work. Thank you.

Answer 2

another great piece thanks. And yes i fear that,but just a little. What I fear more is growing old alone.

Answer 3

A wonderful look at a sad subject.  Well said.  Some possible edits and I mean only possible: SlL3 'when' instead of 'until' S2L3 'round' instead of 'about' S5L1 do you need 'long'? S6 L1 & L2 'old/control' rhyme?  S8L2 maybe 'but' instead of 'they' S9L1 do you need 'much'?

Very well done, my compliments.

Answer 4

This is an excellent poem. It breaks my heart to read it, especially only a few hours after my usual Tuesday lunch with the "girls" of the nursing facility where I volunteer.  As long as I can swallow, this will never happen to me.

Answer 5

What a wonderful poem.  

I hope that I do not go gentle into that good night....if my plans all pan out I'm hoping to annoy people for as long as I can (and get knocked down by a bus and killed instantly when I'm not able to do so any longer)

  

Answer 6

Nice poem.  Well put.

And No, I don't want to grow old.  I still fell like I'm 17, but when I caught myself in the mirror last Saturday at the mall I realized I'm an overweight 31 year old woman who looked bitter.

That hurt. What will I catch accidentally in the mirror in 20 years?

Answer 7

Age is a process, no one can control, no matter how they try, what is

meant to be will be, Embrace it, accept it, gracefully.

A very insightful poem, Kudos.

Answer 8

You are truly an angel of mercy, and if I may interject, that would be an excellent tittle for this.

I belong to a poetry group called "Poets Wear Prada." I guess that says it all, I'm in a New York frame of mind.

Answer 9

This is absolutely unequivocally the best I've seen of your writings. It is especially poignant to me because I worked in the medical field and was married for many years to an R.N. I have the utmost respect for nurses because I know what a difficult job it is. When you get home you feel drained... and to be around people that have aged; and are confused and frustrated  just with living is heart breaking. Kudos to you not only for your poem... but for you being a nurse as well.  

Answer 10

I'm turning 26 this month and I'm terrified!  I don't want wrinkles and saggy skin!  

Answer 11

Beautifully worded,C:

At 52, I feel I have reached my Graceful old age.

I Hope the Grace and humour lasts as long as the body!

Answer 12

I just don't want my b***s to sag!

Answer 13

I crashed my 36th Birthday party, on a motorcycle, breaking my right hip. That's when I gave up the idea of Octogenarianism. I don't look very far ahead. I like it that way.

Answer 14

I want people to take off their shoes when they come into my House -

unless they have beautiful Ones.

I do not want to know any woman who has elected to have a C-section or One who vaccinates her Teenage Daughters against STD`s.

That's all.

I fear Nothing.

Except My Ancestors.

)o(

Answer 15

I'm all for no-fault living!  My DNR is signed and on the Fridge, my wife and kids know my wishes and are well resolved to them.  I love life greatly, but there are days I get very tired of it.

Answer 16

There are those days when I am ungraceful...but heck, I've already reached the zenith of my years.  Any additional ones will be more than appreciated. Only drawback, is losing friends. That hurts.