Reflections

Time is so cruel.

Reflections                            

She used to be a woman once.              

Lithe and sensual,

the life and soul of the party

and very good in bed.

Now the brittle branches of time

have invaded her tired limbs

and she can barely bend

to slip on her once proud heels.

She stares in the mirror

each morning,

once she has creaked out of bed,

and sees someone else;

not the woman she once was.

 

23/04/15

 

Reflections

He used to be a man once.

Muscular and toned,

a bit of a bruiser

but very good in bed.

Now the rusting of the years

has shrunk his manly stature

and he would fall over

to say boo to a goose.

He stares in the mirror

each morning

as he struggles with his razor

and sees someone else;

not the man he once was.

 

23/04/15

Reviews

[sereenaoutloud]

Aging something we cannot change not matter how much we try too! I Hope that as i do i at least never loose my memory. That is my worst fear of aging, to forget why i have os many laugh lines on my face, to not recognize my children's faces!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

No we cannot change it but is creeps upon us like a fog. And like you I would like to keep my senses Sereena. Many thank yous!

[wordman]

this is a reflection of us all,and you wrote it well
but in our minds we`re still young

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you WM.

[Corset]

I love this, but inside they are ever who they always were, young vibrant and just can't recognize that wrinkly person! lol, but they are ever so beautiful to each other, if in love.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

True. I feel as I was in my twenties and train at the gym just as hard lol!

[Corset]

lol! I bet your muscles have a shout about that the next day lol

[John Alexander McFadyen]

No they are used to being abused. But my trainer likes to mix it up and this weekend wow I ache in places I NEVER knew I had!

[Corset]

rotf..I imagine that will be very much like mine will feel when I finally decide to take a lover again.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

OMG! You have to keep fit till then!

[Corset]

lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yanina McKnight]

I admire the contrast between the two characters (man and woman) in this poem. Very descriptive and detail oriented piece. Excellent job!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Yanina

[Yanina McKnight]

You're very welcome!

[Kelly Scheppers]

What an absorbing, compelling piece this is, John. I especially like the way you formatted it...showcasing both genders with similar features.

I think we've become a society too immersed with our looks. Growing old is a priveledge not afforded to many people. I read that somewhere, and it made me think that perhaps we do need to appreciate what time is afforded us.

I have a poem coming up with the same subject matter of growing old. I've been looking for a particular photo to post with it...when I do, I shall give this one a nod for its gentility and compassion! Well done, my friend...well done!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much Kelly for such a lovely generous review! I await your piece with bated breath as I do all your postings.

[andrew mitchell]

What a true reflection that we all face where the sadness lies in a young mind living in a bag of twisted old bones, When you see age you woudln't think it was gradual. Great great write. Crikey! Mate! Its a Little Rip Snorter!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Why thank ya mate! a Little Rip Snorter eh?

[Tom McRoberts]

A wonderful display of the topic in the formatting, and theming, here, John. I especially like the reflecting lines: 'and very good in bed'/'but very good in bed'. They lend the poem a comedic touch that makes the piece overall more honest and cutting.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Tom. I tried to set them side by side but the site would not allow it!

[Tom McRoberts]

If you've got an image manipulator (or even MS Paint) on your computer you could always write in up on there and upload it as an image.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

OK cheers Tom will try that.

[Tom McRoberts]

For what it's worth I think it'd look very pleasing, you could even push the text to the right on that side, for instance:

She used to be a woman once.___________________He used to be a man once.
Lithe and sensual,____________________________________Muscular and toned,
etc._________________________________________________________________etc.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I tried that and I tried doing it in two columns in word.

[Tom McRoberts]

Ah, okay. If you do put it back up make sure to drop me a read request just in case I miss it!

[Lydia Shutter]

This one packs a punch....because it is so honest. Unfortunately, we are all victims of time. No one looks the same as twenty years ago....and no one thinks the same either. Still, if a couple has been together through the years, the wrinkles melt away and the sagging muscles still look firm. It's all in the attitude. Your words are empathetic and compassionate. Lovely. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Lydi for your kind review.

[Karen Arizona]

I like your poem, 'Reflections,' John. It reads with a nice flow and is creative. I can not help but visualize an old couple and chuckle. Time is relative but that old stinkin' mirror sure can change the way we look as we get older. Thanks for sharing.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much Karen. Oh and just don't look in that mirror too often lol!