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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Sixty

I remember when 50 was ancient
when people who were 40 were old
and I thought I would not live to be 30
because after that, well,
I'd be old. And at 20,
I was too young
to know about old.

As the years changed, so did I.
30 was just the beginning I found,
even though my son told me on my birthday
that I should be relieved
because at least I would not die young.
He thought 30 was old.
I did not.
Not when I was 30.

40 was a blur--
school, a son starting kindergarten
as another graduated from college
and another from high school.
Days slipped quickly into full-time work,
classes and assignments, homework
and home work.
Old? Who had time to think about age?
I did not.
Not when I was 40.


50 arrived;
At 50, life was complicated, with family
things--grandchildren, wars, and elderly parents
who had always seemed young
and were suddenly,
well, old. And not well at all.
50's were a time of loss, days of grief
and yes, much joy too, but the grief
overwhelmed all.
I did not feel young anymore.
Not in my 50's.

Now here is 60
greeting me on this hot Solstice day.
I look ahead and see the sun
and happiness, introspection,
a time to evaluate all that went before,
find some meaning and understanding
of this odd path that has been my life.

I know grief, have met sorrow face to face
and I know that it cannot defeat me.
I have known deceit and hurt
and I know it cannot destroy
what is real and true.
I have loved and been truly loved
by many that I call family,
and many that I call friend.
I have been blessed
with a life rich in every part,
and I am grateful today
to say hello to 60.

7 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, Sue. (and belated birthday greetings to West Virginia).

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  2. Happy Birthday, Susanne. Hope you have many more years of growing, learning and enjoying life.

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  3. Thank you, John and Janet. Getting older just gets better, except for the aches and pains. In my mind, I feel as young as I ever did, but much wiser and compassionate.

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  4. Happy Belated Birthday!
    Wishing you much happiness in your 60's.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm going to take a line from your poem as a prompt and go write a poem -- you have primed the pump, you blessed storied one.

    ReplyDelete
  6. http://hillspinner.blogspot.com/2011/06/now-here-is-sixty.html -- inspired by Granny Sue.

    ReplyDelete

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