Is This What We Call Aging? Poem by Valsa George
Is This What We Call Aging?
Sitting in a restaurant
Over a cup of coffee
And silently having our dinner
With hardly anything exciting
Either to brag or blather
My eyes got hooked
On the occupants of the table, next
Two kids, seated on small chairs
A boy and a girl, obviously a pair of twins
Adorably cute, their father, so young
Who having placed the order
Were in wait for their turn
Carrying a tray, as the waiter arrived
With something of the plainest kind,
Small cartons of French fries,
Bottles of sauce and plain ice cream
The little faces gleamed in excitement
Their beaded eyes riveted,
And their heads bobbed in happy approval
As their Dad opened the carton
And placed before them
French fries sprinkled with some sauce,
The children, sprang to their feet
With an upsurge of delight,
Jumping up and down,
Clapping their hands and shouting!
At a small distance, sat we
‘Solemnly’ consuming our meal
With nothing to titillate our palette
Or excite our toned nerves.
I thought;
How, in course of time,
Everything becomes a routine ritual
And what stark difference
Between our subdued composure
And the overwhelming excitement of kids!
They haven’t learned yet
That such open expression of emotions,
Is not in keeping with accepted norms
To what peaks of joy, they get catapulted
With mere trifles and silly baubles
While we remain ever at the bottom
Unable to be lifted up
Is this what we call aging?
The death of spring, the summer’s dirge
Or the chill wave of winter’s blast? ?
Age has always been graceful and acceptance of age is maturity but a child like heart erupts again and one can experience childlike enthusiasm mentally if not physically. A beautiful composition.
I do think we lose the freedom of expression as we age, everything become's routine and our great passion for life begins to fade like day to night but I believe we can ignite our passion for life again! Beautiful write!
Many aged are 17 inside and while seeming bored and suppressed by norms are ageless but compliant. I love the raucous little kids with joy all over spilled and know too soon it will be curbed and muted conformity will slip them into adulthood with grim and worldly woes and yet we should keep the mix of youthful awe and drab old age composed. A fine write and a great conversation.
Very beautiful narration which like a creeping plant advances; the comparison quite realistic. I give 10/10
Much has been said about this poem, what can I add, all that can I say, it; s a great poem from a great poetess but I miss something, why can't I may rate it above ten. May I suggest the editors of PH, add an above 10' for the raters and the poets.
Yes with advance in age everything looks dry and as if loosing charms and appeals no more to us, hence cold reaction to all......whereas children are spirited and bubbling with energy so they react without inhibition....... Valsa.....this is wonderfully scripted with amazing lines.....10/10
The wonderful way in which children express their feelings without inhibition and the manner in which we bottle up our emotions is truly due to aging. Beautiful portrayal, Valsa!
I enjoy each line of this poetical story...and the ending was so nice with the question that embark the meaning of our life in journey in us_Soul
Thank you dear Valsa for this wonderful poem! Reminding me of the children's way to express happiness, yeey! I hope one day to have the kids in my neighbourhood teaching us the adults, bringing back the truthful joy you pointed here in this poem.. A very inspiring poem, loved it!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/25/2024 10:17:10 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Thanks for the memory Valsa as the saying goes. Even though age has crept upon us it still does not mean we are to succumb to it. We can still enjoy an ice cream cone or ride or even watch an old cartoon with laughter and excitement. There is always that child within us. A very inspiring write my dear.