The Back-of-an-Envelope Poem

written for a friend on her 90th birthday

When I am ninety
and seem quite alone
will I be happy?
Will I sit on the porch
or look out the window
to see the sun rise
and think it a miracle
the day is new
and I am living?

When I see the new light
or rain
or storms
or snow
or starry night,
will I be happy?
     
Will I think of my offspring?
Some dead
some nearly so,
yet still feel a glow
of life around me?

Or will I feel strife
and regret
and worry,
if I can't see
past doubt
I live a good life
helping anybody? 
     
Will I perhaps know
one hello
one good morning
one good day
one good evening
one good bye
one good moment
can change those
I've never met
all around me?
I think so.
I am
ninety
you know.

Author's Note

This was written very quickly in the middle of the night.
Does it work?
Any constructive critique is good.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

If I reach ninety I think I will be more than happy to wake to each new day, appreciate each aspect of nature. I think I would be content to be on that porch with my thoughts surrounded by sparkling sunlight, soft rainfall or even moonbeams. I think I would be happy to be alone with my memories and mother nature to keep me warm. A lovely, generous gift for your friend on her 90th birthday.

Chris

[LJ]

Thank you very much! My friend had this printed up properly, framed, and then hung in her living room. I'm very glad you project yourself onto that porch, and in a lovely comment, too. (-:

[Serene Star]

Interesting
Wondering how it be like to be 90 -
While you are -
Memory has that ability to remember how it felt like to look that further ahead -

I hope everything you imagined you would be - you achieved
When i am 90 - i would be somewhere very far away -
Surrounded by nature :)

[LJ]

Thanks! I wrote this for a friend who was turning 90 - I have quite a ways to go, myself - and luckily she really liked it. I'm glad you do, too. I agree with you about seeking to be surrounded by nature at advanced age. Sometimes that's not possible (maybe most times) - so that's why I didn't mention that. Thanks again for reading and reviewing!

[Betty Hermelee]

Looking ahead to the future is indeed something we all do at some point in our younger lives; I always say I don’t want to be ninety! The way you wrote this is quite interesting; a person questioning his/herself on what life will be like for this person at ninety. Each has his own view of what being 90 will bring! Nicely written .i enjoyed reading it.

[LJ]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed this. I think everyone has questions about almost every age the next year brings them. This one seems special, though.

[Betty Hermelee]

I agree!! Though for me 94 has a special meaning as my dad dies in that year, though I admit his last 4 years of life were cruel,sad......

[Dave Brown]

I am getting too close to 90 and I do have many of those questions
If I lose my mate before that time, I doubt I will care much about the rest

[LJ]

Oh - may you have many good answers! I'm touched by the comment about your mate. I have lost one myself pretty early on, and one has time then, to reconcile the self to the loss. I hope the very best for you and your mate and all around you.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I think the most qualified critic for this would, of course, be your friend. If she thought it lovely, that's the greatest compliment of all. Personally, I think it's sweet and warm and would certainly appreciate a friend who thought enough of me to write such a poem for my birthday. I always like the hand-crafted gifts best; letters, drawings and gifts others make. I'm sure your friend truly enjoyed this.

[LJ]

You're right, she did enjoy it, and of course her reaction is the most important. She died at 99 some time ago, and I still miss her. Thank you for your kind words about this piece!

[NotUsinganymore]

Very sweet but somber poem about growing up. I loved it.

[LJ]

So glad you like this poem.

[NotUsinganymore]

You are welcome

[Unspoken poet]

I love this, this is wonderful.
I write my best at night.

[LJ]

Thank you! Yes, it was one of the times I grabbed an envelope to get the words down.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I love this
It’s very special
I’m sure your friend treasured it
I’m 61 time goes quick

[LJ]

Thank you! Yes, she did, and lived to be 99. I still miss her, but am very glad she saw this poem and kept it nearby. And yes, around our age, time often seems to speed up, doesn't it?

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Yes thanks 🙏