ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

On Monday we had a bit of a gathering made up of family oldies to welcome a long lost 3rd or 4th Cousin and her husband from England ( related on my wife’s side).
I unfortunately was on antibiotics and couldn’t join in fully with the festivities, but staying sober allowed me to have a real close look at our clearly aging figures. So I have penned this little poem in memory of that day – Don’t think I had better show it to the Rellies - Terry


TURNING BACK THE CLOCK

The trials of life have taken toll and we are all aware,
about our spreading waistlines and the thinning of our hair,
With hearing slowly fading and some eyesight’s on the wane,
We’re facing life with humor as we gather here again.

I study all the faces of my kinfolk one by one,
and note the signs of aging that has clearly now begun.
The good times and the sadness I can see it plainly now,
it’s etched into the creases of each face and furrowed brow

I see their eyes still sparkle; happy with the path they tread,
the fires of life still drive them to the challenges ahead.
Old photos of our forebears have us pause in silent thanks,
remembering their hardships and the thinning of their ranks.

My mind then starts to wander to the days of long before,
I watch the years now melt away until we’re young once more.
These women young and beautiful had set our hearts afire;
the men so smart and dashing for the lasses to admire.

But soon I waken from my dream and look around once more,
and see the aging faces that once made our pulses soar.
The burning flames of passion may have faded in some ways,
it’s friendship some now treasure in the twilight of their days.

******

© T.E. Piggott 5/5/2011

Show it to them mate they'll enjoy those word just the same

Bill Williams

Agree with Bill - I reckon they will be chuffed - there is nothing wrong with this it is heartfelt and true and also sympathetic and sensitive to the aging process....Some folks just get there before others is all.

Cheers

Maureen

Beautiful Terry. Enjoyed the read.

Heather

Thanks Bill, Maureen & Heather
Unfortunately I couldn't join the the wine drinkers, but did partake in the rest of the feast which will undoubtedly lead to an even greater expansion of the waistline.
Although not quite the youngest, there were several a number years my senior and had been married well in excess of 50 years,
while I've just passed 40 years. All are in reasonable health and even more importantly are still very mentally alert.
It's interesting to look at aging faces and try to visualise them as they used to be, I look in the mirror and a stranger stares back at me. The ravages of time overtakes us all eventually, but it doesn't really matter as it's happening to all your friends as well, and it doesn't diminish your enjoyment of each others company either.

Terry

Enjoyed the read Terry,ageing is something that happens to us all, some just more gracefully than others, but as the saying goes 'your only as old as you feel' gee am I that old?
Sue

Don't know about the rest of you lot but I've not changed at all.


I was an ugly baby and I'm still ugly now.

age makes no difference.

Bob

Thanks Sue,
It's scary isn't it, some days you feel your age, on other days even older.

Cheers Terry

G/day Bob,
You're being a bit hard on yourself mate, I quite like the look of your hat.

Terry

Thanks Terry.

Yeah that hats new !!!

I noticed no one else even tried to make me feel better.

Ah well such is Life .

I knew there was something wrong with those pills.


Bob