When I Was Young Poem by Jim Yerman

When I Was Young

Rating: 5.0


I know this from experience. I heard it from my father's tongue.
Noting makes a person sound older than saying, "When I was young."

You go through life thinking, I'll never say those words, that's what old people do.
Then you listen to yourself talking one day...and find it's happened to you.

You try not to show it outwardly but your pride and ego are bruised
When you find yourself using words and phrases your father or grandfather used.

When I was young, you tell your children, people were kinder the world was not as hard.
Neighbors gathered and had fun together, there weren't fences in every backyard.

When I was young we drove old cars...we didn't have these outrageous gas prices
When I was young kids played outside...we didn't have hand held devices.

Yes when I was young a blackberry was nothing more than a black berry.
And if you wanted to give someone the bird you bought them a canary.

When I was young we respected our elders and our hair was neatly combed
When I was young if you got in trouble at school then you got in trouble at home.

Could it be as we climb the ladder of life with changes around every rung
We're just trying to hold on to a piece of the past when we say, ‘When I was young.'

Could it be we want our children and grandchildren to know they are lucky, they are blessed.
For all the world has set before them, for all that they possess.

Perhaps we're just repeating what's been handed down from family to family
And I am only echoing the same words my father said to me.

If that's the case, sit back and smile, no need to feel high-strung
And await the day your children look at their children and say...sI remember, when I was young.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Larry Brazil 30 August 2021

Each day in my HS English classes I share at least one poem. My motivation is to nurture interest and love for the power of words, especially in poetry. The poetry of Mr Jim Yerman intrigue, teach, and captivate students, and Me as well.

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Rajnish Manga 05 April 2017

Fantastic contemplation. When we grow old certain things are passed on to us like- When I was young. ]]]] Perhaps we're just repeating what's been handed down from family to family

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Loke Kok Yee 03 April 2016

this is so pleasant to read, I had to read it twice! thanks for this lovely write

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Loyd C Taylor Sr 30 May 2014

Hello poet Jim and god morning. I really enjoyed your poem and take on the phrase, When I was Young. It made me think and agree. Good work and enjoyable piece! Loyd Please visit my work when you can.

1 0 Reply
Pradip Chattopadhyay 30 May 2014

wonderful sketch of an inviolable design.

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