Young Man
I, a young man in the past
Heard a song on the radio
At the time I couldn’t see
My own lessons I now know
The song “Old Man”
By a man named Neil Young
Now as I reach my elder years
I relate to the song he sung
For the caretaker on his farm
Neil wrote the song
And for many years
To myself I’d sing along
These days I look back a lot
To the days of my youth
And all too often I want
To reflect a young man’s truth
Young man look at my life
You’re a lot like I was
Burning the candle at both ends
A rebel without a cause
Young man when I look at you
I see a man impatient and naive
Young man when you look at me
The reflection you can’t believe
With a hole in your pocket
Your money never seems to last
Cause in the blink of an eye
You know it’s gone so fast
Young man look at my life
You’re a lot like I was
Losing at love doesn’t mean
You can rewrite the laws
If you find love
Just once in your life
It don’t mean
She’s meant to be your wife
Yes, she was first and last
And a blessing that’s true
Give her all you’ve got
All the best of you
Young man I know you too well
And you don’t think about me
But mark my word
It won’t be long before you see
The years they fly on by
Like the sun and the moon
One day in your mirror
You’ll see me staring back at you
Young man believe it or not
I love you more than you know
You’re the younger side of me
And I just want you to know
I’m here waiting on you
To grow into me
Young man remember
The young man you used to be
Copyright © Accidental Poet 2017
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Author:
Sharon\'s Poet (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: December 10th, 2017 07:55
- Comment from author about the poem: Tomorrow, December 11th is my 61st birthday, and for about the last 5 years I've noticed how this song I've been listening to for many years relates to me so well now. Neil Young wrote the song "Old Man" about the man who was a caretaker on Neil's farm in California in the early '70s. But I began to see how it could be interpreted as Neil's younger self speaking to his older self. And so now, I'm the old man looking back at my younger self. So this song has now come full circle for me. Please listen to Neil's song "Old Man", and then read my poem. Thank you in advance.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 27
- Users favorite of this poem: Laura🌻, poetboy123, FredPeyer
Offline)
Comments8
A fine write AP and best wishes! But someone moaned they were getting old at 30. And I have a friend who will be 37 on the same day as your birthday!
I'm millions of years old me self! lol.
Come on now - you knows you is 21 again. Maybe 22 - very old!
hmmm, 21 again? Yes, the 40th anniversary of my 21st birthday. Darn, now I feel as old as you orchi.
Aw gee you're still young - my next birthday will be my 54th anniversary of the 21st. Great song, great write.
Thanks Michael. Yeah, I'm still young, until I feel the aches and pains of my 61 year old body. OUCH, that hurt. ; )
Happy Birthday AP and this poem was simply INCREDIBLE! Tremendously enjoyed the clever wordplay and rhythm throughout as if you could sing along.
Thank you pb. Glad you like it.
Full of experience and put so wisely these words say just how it is to look back - - love the song too.
Thank you Fay. Just another trip around the sun, but yes, full of experience.
AP, no kidding, it sounds as if you wrote this poem for me!
I love it, and therefore it has to go into my favorites!
I imagine there are many who relate to this song. I bet even Neil Young is seeing how ironic the lyrics are now at this time in his life. Thanks for reading and your compliment Fred
this is really touching and profound my friend,my son sent me this song last week,guess he`s thinking
Thanks Ron, always nice to know my words hit home with my readers. This is a song that makes you think.
my pleasure,and it does
That young man will become the wise man with time and experience.
I have just celebrated the 48th anniversary of my 21st.
Well Happy Birthday to you Andy. And thank you for reading and complimenting here.
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