Getting Older

FredPeyer

We’re all getting older

Day by day

Relentlessly

 

But how we age

Is something

We can influence

 

We can become

Doddering old farts

Living on memories

 

Or feed our minds

Every day

With new information

 

Using this new data

To arrive

At new conclusions

 

Discarding the old

Like unwanted

Garbage

 

Looking at the world

Around us

With open minds

 

Seeing beauty

And promise

In the ordinary

 

Finding pleasure

Even in

The small things

 

Marveling at

Our capacity

To stay young

  • Author: Alfred Peyer (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: September 2nd, 2017 02:55
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 69
  • User favorite of this poem: malubotelho.
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Comments12

  • Fay Slimm.

    You pen well the right attitude to aging Fred - we have choices as to what passing years do to our minds. A fine reminder.

  • FredPeyer

    Thank you so much, Fay!

  • orchidee

    Good write Fred.

    • FredPeyer

      Mahalo, Orchidee!

    • Goldfinch60

      Good write and very true. Now at my age any new fact that comes my way fills me with pleasure.

      • FredPeyer

        Thanks Goldfinch! We never stop learning!

      • Michael Edwards

        When I retired I looked at elderly people in my town with big bellies and badly dressed and vowed not me. I exercise daily and take a great pride in my wardrobe - I don't wear baggy trousers (where do old men buy them?) or tee shirts covered in undignified graffiti ( if I do wear them which is not often I prefer plain coloured ones of good quality). I wear modern clothing but suitable for my age. Grow old with dignity . Always something to plan for with plenty of interests and NEVER look back. So yes this resonates with me - a great piece Fred. Oh yes I also like to rant - my one concession to age - Victor Meldrew is my role model.

        • FredPeyer

          Mahalo, Michael. The everyday wardrobe here is slippers, shorts, and T-shirt. More dressed up: shoes, long dark blue pants, Aloha shirt. Am fully equipped with stationary bicycle, rowing machine, and weight lifting bench, right here at home. Usually work out at least every second day, but missed a few days lately, probably due to spending too much time on this site answering your nice comments! 🙂
          Am still working full time on my own business and helping out with my wife's business. Don't plan on retiring anytime soon. What would I do? I don't play golf!!!
          You go ahead ranting. I found that at my age I can finally say whatever I want, and the heck with PC! I also never look back. Had to look up Victor Meldrew since I hardly ever watch TV. Usually listen to public radio when driving. Like the BBC news.
          So, thanks for your comment, "grumpy old man" (Victor Meldrew)!

        • dusk arising

          "Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune." words of Max Ehrmann 'Desiderata' to which i return time and again for it's wisdom. Your words have wisdom and are beautifully assembled here.

          • FredPeyer

            Thank you so much, d a, for your kind words! This quote is perfect!

          • Louis Gibbs

            "Marveling at our capacity to stay young" ... reflects my feelings about ageing exactly, Fred. I keep my brain active and challenged, stay in shape, and absolutely refuse to become 'old'. Your poem nails it!

            • FredPeyer

              Thanks so much Louis! Great comment. I also found how NOT to age anymore: Don't look into the mirror!!!! 🙂

              • Louis Gibbs

                I don't. Thant's why I have so many shaving nicks.

              • BRIAN & ANGELA

                Thanks FRED ~ MPS is important for sharing and caring with Young and Old ! I'm still in the first third of my life (just !) but I am encouraged by the Joy (and sometimes silliness) of the OLD (60+) and the brashness and sensual freedom of Young and very Young and their ability to verbalise PAIN that we would never share. I tell them it's CATHARTIC ~ I wish i knew what that word really meant ~ TO THEM ! Thanks for caring & sharing ~ BRIAN

                • FredPeyer

                  Thank you Brian, you know age is only a number. And I agree with you that this site is great in bringing old AND young together. We all share a love of writing, and this love is ageless!

                • Christina8

                  Fantastic poem! "Seeing beauty and promise in the ordinary" is my favorite because it's what we should all strive to do. Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece!

                  • FredPeyer

                    Thank you so much for your nice comment, Christina!

                  • malubotelho

                    Great poem Fred. You got this perfect. Aging is not that bad. I feel better now then when I was twenty. Now I take better care of myself, still looking good for my age, don't do things just because others do. I'm good, I feel good. I don't have problems with clothes. They all fit.

                    • FredPeyer

                      I am so happy for you. YES! You do look great if I may say so. The only problem with being able to wear the old clothes is that there is no incentive to buy new ones! And you are right about doing things only because others do it. I am long past that point and do or say whatever I want. Sometimes though there are consequences with that 🙂 but who cares, life is too short!

                      • malubotelho

                        Life is short and dessert is good. I compensate running to burn the calories and keep the demons away. Sometimes they get me though, like the nights I can not sleep. Just sometimes to make sure I'm not perfect.

                      • myself and me

                        "Finding pleasure
                        Even in
                        The small things"
                        Very good suggestion to follow.
                        Like your attitude to age.

                        • FredPeyer

                          Mahalo M&M! The realization that life is finite, that time will eventually be running out, changes the very outlook on life. Things that seemed so important before, just aren't. To give and receive love, to enjoy the beauty around us, to learn and teach, are the important things in life. Material things mean nothing anymore. I have way too much 'stuff' that accumulated over the years and that I now want to get rid of. I guess getting older does have its advantages! 🙂

                          • myself and me

                            Getting older with wisdom like you is a blessing.

                          • WL Schuett

                            Nice poem lots of wonderful comments ...you have a nice following ,that's says a lot about you ...

                            • FredPeyer

                              Thank you WL! The following shows that I spend too much time on this site! 😉



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