Down Hill... Poem by Almedia Knight-Oliver

Afore coming into my own
Had no worldly worries to keep me awake
or to lose sleep so, baby girl slept in
Momma's arm.

Now I'm prepared, ready to tell you that, from
babyhood through adolescence and adulthood, I've
reached my peak, and recalling some of the fun
and unhappiness experienced in my climb.

Going up hill with Jack in tow and far behind,
Carrying woes of many stubbed toes and displaying
bruises and scares...yet exclusive of regrets- -
I made it to the top!

Sometimes I spend lifeless days, but morning's warm rays vitalizes my life
like when you revive a drooping plant by watering it. I welcome my 'Gift'
with a smile, which helps me to get from here to there...I spend a good part of
my day nodding and cat napping. Then by nightfall ready to lay down with Insomniac…as soon as I fall asleep, Arthur wakes me up all ready for the night shift, then begin aching my neck, shoulder, back, and all other working parts. I grab my Tiger Balm ammo and rub them out!

I'm At the peak of life and feeling playful and listening
to the drum of creation and dancing the cosmic dance…
I'm going to take my time, laughing all the way!
I used to praise my tots after poops in a pot, now
I shout 'amen'to just poop without clots!
Amazingly, I can laugh, cough, sneeze, and pee,
all at the same time!
In the old days, Regular gas was cheap, at my age,
farts and belches are Premium gas and is free.
I don't go out often, yet my mind goes out and
don't come back.
How foolish it to tell myself to put things in eye view
I still look for them where they used to be.
I look all over the house for my glasses; but
low and behold, the old pair finds them on my head
Lately, I get my exercise when I play 'stand up sit down'
when getting up off the couch
Now, I can tell all of my secrets to my friends, because
They don't remember them anyway.


I have fond memories of when the climbing was
Fun, and some pleasurable moments still of:
Walking short distances to Fort Greene Park
Sitting on a rock watching still and moving things.
Feeling relaxed and fearless as birds bathing in dust
Starving for life like hungry squirrels nibbling nuts, and
harvesting the rest for another time, like man hungers lust
Besides, marveling yellow leaves dancing in the breeze,
when exhausted fall to the ground, later showing up seeds,
planting themselves again, and as genius growing up trees.
Day fades, evening sun blazes, then in full splendor slides
into the horizon!
Grey and white clouds floated in my life: brought rain and
storms, and I'm connected to all by my rainbow in the sky…




April 14,2016