THE ANCIENTS

Aging!

THE ANCIENTS

 

I call them “the ancients”

to me, the dividing line is 75 and older

believe me it is not hard science

it is just a time in one’s life of decline in certain ways

but also, an alluring duration of memories and reflections

 

Ancients tend to sleep longer, take naps

lose energy, lose weight, lose appetites

they forget from one moment to the next,

especially names, chores, what movie they saw last night

and many more mundane things

 

Yet it is a cherished period of certain freedoms

they desire what they want and when they want it

no schedules to worry about

except doctor appointments

we rely on others to keep track of their engagements

 

What is frightful about the “ancients” is thinning of the brain

and thinning of the bones

sometimes they need walking aides to help them maneuver around

Other times they fall and do not recover fully

their eyes become more blurry and tired

reading can be difficult, driving even worse

and staring them in the face, death

 

Is this what one looks forward to??

it depends on one’s overall health and genetics

many “ancients” live happily and long

with a good quality of life

that is what we all hope for

 

“Will someone please hand me my cane?”

(just kidding!)

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[RomaJ]

Reading this poem made me think of my dad --truly one of the "ancients" in every sense. He outlived both of his much younger wives, survived a lifetime of work and drink, and always admitted he was a b*****d. Now, so old, he seems to want to rewrite his own story, blaming dementia and trying to worm his way back in.

What really strikes me about this poem is how it captures the complicated, messy beauty of old age. The way it balances decline and freedom, loss and memory, vulnerability and stubbornness - it feels so true. It made me think about how time changes everyone, and how the "ancients" are both fragile and fiercely themselves.

There’s humor here too, and I love that. The little jab at the cane at the end reminded me that even in the midst of decline, life’s absurdity and our personalities persist. A really moving, honest look at aging that made me pause and reflect.

[Betty Hermelee]

A very complete and sensitive review RomaJ...it took me back to my own father's late life... Thank you so much, appreciated!
Warmly, B

[Michael Sun Bear]

Gee Betty, I am only eight months away from your dividing line and. I am sleeping less and gaining weight. Tell me why people in the West think it’s so desirable to live a long life, particularly the proclaimed Christians who believe in a Heaven. I am surrounded in my retirement community by 85 and 90 year olds and I don’t really think the Creator intended us to live that long. I have a theory that many live longer because they fear death. See the poem I just posted, the 100th Name of Allah for an alternate view on old age.

[Betty Hermelee]

Great review Michael! I'm definitely an "Ancient" and so far, so good, but I get your point!
Warmly, B

[Buddhistboy73]

Ah the ancients indeed..:)

I loved this humorous take on growing older Betty.....!

You inject a real sense of pathos and spirit into this poem...sleeping longer, taking naps....
but with an overall positive message.......a long life lived well....:)

Thanks for sharing..

BB73

[Betty Hermelee]

You are very welcome!!
Warmly, B

[Thomas W Case]

Brilliant work. You bring it to life

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Thomas, much appreciated!
Warmly, B

[Samuel Dickens]

Have you been reading my medical charts? I'll have you know I only take naps in the afternoons and while watching TV! And no, you can't have the cane--I'm using it. (Ha-ha!)

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Sam, you're too funny!!! Are you an ancient too?
Thank my friend for being honest and you still have a sense of humor!
Warmly, B

[Samuel Dickens]

Well, I had the hots for Hedy Lamarr.

[Betty Hermelee]

love her movies!!!

[Soren]

I am an ancient by this age criteria and yet still have health so need no doctors, take no medicines and although the eyesight is not what it was the brian still works (oh I do forget those mundane things but that is by choice). There is no fear of death only pain. A lovely write my friend and quite fitting

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Soren…. doing pretty well myself… though arthritis is catching up with me! thank you always for your astute reviews
Warmly, B

[Soren]

You are most welcome

[jessyyjacob]

Hi Betty,
It's a natural process and age.
It's not a dividing line at 75, I see aging is a kind of phase it may come at early too when we lose our ability being matured and still 15yrs but grown 35 +yrs..
And people age at 45yrs it doesn't mean we are old at this age, we say old because we teach lessons to many irresponsible of age...
I see my son teach me is it that he is ol..
I only say one thing people never age with each yr adding we just lived for so many yrs we stay alive being make use of our time effectively
Heart never gets old I don't see you aged at 75 too. I just say it's time for another phase. People say they get old but I see much desires unfulfilled.
I don't think God never make unsatisfied few people because we already content in every yr going ahead..
I just want you to say enjoy every phase be never be unsatisfied kind of..

Jessy Jacob ❤️

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Jessy, This write is sort of a play on age… i believe that people age at different times in their lives… some live to 100 Years, other to 40 years….. it’s not cast in stone of course… thank you very much for your views on aging, much appreciated!
Warmly, B

[Stella Armour]

Hi Betty, i am 80 but i pretend to myself that i am not 😄. Also i am pretty bionic with all the replacement bits in my body and now facing corneal transplants in the near future BUT i memorize poems and speak them out aloud, do suduko puzzles and even though my hands are deformed and have replacement joints i still enjoy my creative talents and painting ... i wear soft splints and i now in my old age i realize i do all these things just for myself and not to impress others... i have at last become" my own true self."

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Stella for your views on aging. ..which we all do at our own speed… and we still try hard to do as much as we can to stay active…
Warmly
B🌷🌷🌷

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This past June I turned ancient.
But much of this poem reflects me at 75. Pretty content with life...who I am...what I have done and continue to do with teaching...and still able to write a few things that make sense.
I am okay being in the club.
Nicely penned, Betty.

j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Ah J… the first true message… i am an ancient as well…glad you’re in the club too, yet we’re both still functioning well! thank you dear member!
WarmlyB🌷🌷🌷🌷