Young Man

Accidental Poet



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

  • Author: Sharon\'s Poet (Pseudonym) (Offline 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🌻, poetboy5454, FredPeyer.
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Comments8

  • orchidee

    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.

  • orchidee

    Come on now - you knows you is 21 again. Maybe 22 - very old!

    • Accidental Poet

      hmmm, 21 again? Yes, the 40th anniversary of my 21st birthday. Darn, now I feel as old as you orchi.

    • Michael Edwards

      Aw gee you're still young - my next birthday will be my 54th anniversary of the 21st. Great song, great write.

      • Accidental Poet

        Thanks Michael. Yeah, I'm still young, until I feel the aches and pains of my 61 year old body. OUCH, that hurt. ; )

      • poetboy5454

        Happy Birthday AP and this poem was simply INCREDIBLE! Tremendously enjoyed the clever wordplay and rhythm throughout as if you could sing along.

      • Fay Slimm.

        Full of experience and put so wisely these words say just how it is to look back - - love the song too.

        • Accidental Poet

          Thank you Fay. Just another trip around the sun, but yes, full of experience.

        • FredPeyer

          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!

          • Accidental Poet

            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

          • ron parrish aka wordman

            this is really touching and profound my friend,my son sent me this song last week,guess he`s thinking

            • Accidental Poet

              Thanks Ron, always nice to know my words hit home with my readers. This is a song that makes you think.

              • ron parrish aka wordman

                my pleasure,and it does

              • Goldfinch60

                That young man will become the wise man with time and experience.

                I have just celebrated the 48th anniversary of my 21st.

                • Accidental Poet

                  Well Happy Birthday to you Andy. And thank you for reading and complimenting here.



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