When I Am Old

...the privilege of growing old.

When I Am Old

 

 

 

When I am old

I’ll wear my hair atop my head

in a Katharine Hepburn fashion.

I’ll rise in the break of morning

with three cats at my feet

watering  succulents in the kitchen window

while waiting for my coffee to brew.

I’ll sit at the table like we used to do,

engage in a crossword puzzle or two,

when I am old.

 

When I am old

my mother’s features

will be my only makeup.

I ‘ll garden in the afternoon

then rest till dinner at three.

I’ll write poetry while sipping a Chardonnay

indulge in a hand of solitaire or two

when I am old.

 

When I am old

and coloring my hair no longer suits me,

I’ll walk across the meadow, green

where geese and lark take  flight at dusk

and the sky is a palate of magnificent hues.

 

The years like memories will fade

like the light of a falling star.

A calendar of days will hauntingly remind me

that every day

I am one step closer to the other side

 

where you will be waiting,

when I am old.

 

 

Author's Note

The longevity of life was not afforded to my parents and older sister, who each died under the age of fifty. Therefore, it will become a privilege to me, growing old.

Reviews

[Relic]

You've captured the characteristics of being elderly in a simple, yet poetic, way. There's a proud vibe to the character, looking forward to a time that will come to us all.
Your writing should be in a book of poems, Kelly. They're too good not to be. You have such an elegant style.

[Kelly Scheppers]

So glad you picked up on that vibe, Tim! One sweet day it will be, for sure. Thank you dear friend!

[Ted Kniffen]

Growing old is not for the faint of heart ... but it is a privilege to be made the best of. In the 60's we said you couldn't trust anyone over 30 and yet here I am, 45 years past that best before date and knowing there is still a lot to accomplish ... Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise we'll set the date a little further down the road.

This was truly a poet's write.
Good one Kelly

[Kelly Scheppers]

It is a privilege denied to many, and that alone should give us purpose. "The Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise..." Absolutely, Ted! So good to see you. Thank you!

[Pete]

such stark revelations. truly wonderful thoughts. very real and touching. we should all be so lucky. even thoreau would smile and applaud this ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Hi Pete! What a way to make someone's day! Thank you!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"When I am old
my mother’s features
will be my only makeup."

OMG dear Kelly, I did not know you were recovering from covid. I hope you are feeling better every day. My husband had long covid and he is still recovering as well, so I know the battle too well. My prayers are with you and I send love and healing energy out to you. Stay strong my friend! Hello to Ollie xo.
Your beautifully penned poem resounds in me- "the privilege of growing old"-yes, especially in these days. More and more I think of loved ones who have passed. More and more I see my mother's face when I look in the mirror. Love the flow, elegant verses, rhyme, imagery, similes and sharing of yourself in this poem. Stellar write!

[Kelly Scheppers]

The seclusion is getting to me, but I really do feel much better. You are a welcomed sight to these pages of mine, so perhaps my mojo will benefit from the healing energy you're sending my way. Wait a minute, I think I can feel it in my fingers as I type this! ; ) Thank you my darlin friend. Much love and light!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Good to hear that u feel much better. You need much rest and strengthening so please have patience and be good to yourself. Plenty of water, vitamins, chicken soup will help. Huge good mojo sent to you always xoxoxoxo.

[Miss Sharon]

Just beautiful! (A calendar of days will hauntingly remind me that every day I am one step closer to the other side where you will be waiting, when I am old. (I was just thinking that I have more family "on the other side" than I have on earth. You've written my feelings so well. ~Sharon)

[Kelly Scheppers]

How wonderful it is to write something that people can relate to. Your prodigious review is attestation to that, and I couldn't feel more proud. Thank you most kindly, Sharon!

[Dara]

Dear Kelly,
This is hauntingly beautiful. You remind as we grow older to appreciate each and every day. I am sorry you lost your parents and older sister so soon. I too think about meeting some of many people I have lost, on the ‘other side’. How wonderful would that be! This is one of your best writes I think. Simply loved it!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Dara, how have you been? So good to see you. I'm recovering from Covid, so I've got a lot of isolation on my hands, and nothing better to do than write. I think this poem has been in me for quite a while, for it felt like a release to get it out. What a welcoming surprise to see you, though. Thank you so much!

[Dara]

Oh dear! I am so sorry to hear you caught the virus. I hope you make a full recovery soon. It is great to ‘read’ you again Kelly. Hopefully writing gives you some peace of mind and much needed relief! Take care :-)

[Elyne Knight]

So poignant... I am very sorry for your loss, and also amazed that you can draw from it such a beautiful way to imagine aging, with gratitude and joy not bitterness - the heartache hinted at, then fully revealed just at the end turns the whole poem to a different (but equally beautiful) angle. All the imagery is wonderful, I especially like "my mother's features / will be my only makeup".

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your review went straight to my heart, Elyne. Thank you for your presence here!

[Lisasview]

Your poem brought tears to my eyes..even before I had read the entire poem.
As I am now 74, and time is going by oh so very quickly your poem brought to mind so many things..
Succulents... Katherine Hepburn...and oh so much more..
Amazing world we live in...
Lisa

[Kelly Scheppers]

The enormity of your words touch my heart. Thank you, Lisa!

[Lisasview]

What a very nice thing to say..
Lisa in Spain..

[Cherrie Palmer]

I love this write.I feel like I'm turning into my grandmother (the woman I remember as a child) and I am one day closer to a family reunion on the other side.
Loved it.

[Kelly Scheppers]

How wonderful for me that it touched you in such a way. Thank you for that acknowledgement, Cherrie!

[Betty Hermelee]

Growing old can be very graceful, something to actually look forward to, as long as you have your health.
I'm so sorry your dear parents and sister died young, that is a tragedy.....but I can sympathize with your feelings about getting old and actually enjoying life.
Best, B

[Kelly Scheppers]

I look at death now as a reuniting of family and friends who have gone before me. How sweet that day will be for us all! Thank you, Betty!

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome!