"16 Going On 75..."

There's a lot of nights in our days...

“16 Going On 75…”

 

Hand on-the-knob

slowly, slowly-turning…

Is it snow-layered vision,

Ice speckled and sparkling ‘scape, or

Rain-swept and harried-puddled view…

that awaits

beyond…

the ever-so-slowly opening eyes?

 

…Edge-to-edge… barren ‘scape

…a nothingness.

 

It’s still winter’s aerie.

I know…

I KNOW…

 

But - no prominence… no draw.

 

Slo-cold-chill insinuates

lovingly-caresses

moves …crawls… Inveigles into

my conscious thoughts.

 

I hear - but do I?

or is it time’s echoes of a distant night’s train

and emptiness

coupled to asphalt whispers from wheels

…turning… meandering…

 

Remembering?

…forgetting…

 

Palpable dark…

sitting up… am I?

or not…

 

Feeling - not feeling,

…I don’t know.

 

Hearing my breath

Hearing

my… is it MY

IS IT…

 

Move …move - can’t…CAN’T…

Am, am…

Light-on!

 

Soaked in sweat,

blanket, sheet tightly wrapping half my body.

Deep, deep breaths

 

“…I miss you…”

 

Chris

 

 

Author's Note

Feel free...

Reviews

[Belle]

This poem beautifully captures the disorienting stillness of time and memory—where moments slip between states of consciousness and longing. The visceral contrast between frozen isolation and fleeting connection resonates deeply, creating a haunting sense of yearning and introspection.


Wow, some things truly never fade, and you’re one of them, Chris. The way your words resonate over time is a reminder of enduring connections. Thank you for sharing your poetry—it still speaks volumes.

[Chris]

I appreciate your thoughts... nice seeing you.

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

I do not believe any of us can understand YOU completely...
I can only tell what some of the words meant to me.
I miss someone desperately.. and occasionally even see them..
Am I awake .. thought I was living in reality .. maybe not.
I'll be 71 this year .. not sure what that proves.. maybe some of me is dying..
Slip Sliding Away .. seems to fit . .. and that's ok by me ..

Wonderful Words Of Life CHRIS... thanks.

JAZZ

[Chris]

WE are all unique Jazz... thanks for pausing with me.

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

Unique .. good word... I do understand some.. was not a put down .. just different people, reading in as they know..... Take Care Chris.

[Chris]

Doing my best jazz.

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

GOOD..................................

[DecentlyOkayWriter]

moves …crawls… Inveigles into
my conscious thoughts.
. . .
(My favorite part.)

How I wish I was young aga-. . I can't say that, can I? My years amount to almost nothing in reality, compared to most- if not all- of the people around me. Even then, sometimes I miss how I was when I was younger than I am now, when I was thirteen with no real worries, when I was ten with my nose always in a book, when I was five sporting pigtails- I miss myself, I miss most everything back then. That's just what this poem made me think about. .

[Chris]

Good and interesting thoughts... going back to beginnings - th music "The Way We Were..."** comes to mind and fits...

**Striesand comes to mind.

[Thomas W Case]

Wow. Tremendous work. You capture it.

[Daz]

Great poetry as always. This is definitely a keeper.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is like "missing the old me"---thinking of our youth and missing it.
I relate so much to this...I am going on 75 this year...but often still feel like 16---I listen to our oldies and I am right back into a moment when I heard each song...back in high school...with a girlfriend...or just a night at home in my room wondering where my friends are and if I really matter to them. Now, I wonder often if I really have done enough with my life to matter.
great poem.
j.

[Chris]

Having you pause with my thoughts is high praise all by itself... Thanks Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Are you kidding? I always bow to your work...you are most philosophical poet I admire very much.
read moreAre you kidding? I always bow to your work...you are most philosophical poet I admire very much.
But thank you for saying that.

[Arundass TP]

Excellent poem. Each and every llines are apt and powerful. Loved it reading 👍

[Chris]

some moments resonate... thanks for pausing.