a tired smile

artwork by nik helbig

once upon another time

i dreamed

there were plenty of years to go

a veritable bounty 

of rhythmic ticks of the clock

easy breezy moments 

would forever be mine 

to spend as i wished

so natural and casual 

but now it’s once upon this time

and i realize

the simple truth is never really simple

but it is mine 

to have and cherish

so tonight, though weary,

i hold it close to my chest

and smile a tired smile

Reviews

[Érenn]

Death is inevitable, or rather i should state, everything with a start must also come to an end someday or the other. The way the poem flows is beautiful, the tonal changes very subtle yet give the indications needed. It's the acceptance of the inevitable though, that makes all the more gut wrenching yet beautiful. ^^ Thank you for sharing. ^^

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Errenn. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

Wearing a smile is the first thing I try to put on every morning. Life IS good, and too short...we must enjoy the NOW, while it is here!

I loved your opening line, Lydi...

[Lydia Shutter]

You have the right attitude, Kelly! thanks so much. Lydi**

[Woody]

let's cling to the good memories and never let go. but the most important thing is to never stop smiling, albeit tiredly.
you never write trivia, Lydia and that's what makes your poems so memorable.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Woody....hey, we don't need no stinkin' trivia, right? :) I always appreciate your visits. Lydi**

[Sara]

this got me thinking of the shortness of life. I really like your interpretation :)
p.s- keep on smiling

[Lydia Shutter]

Always! Thanks, Sara. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

Lydi, I picture you with an easy breezy smile.
It is not the years, but the tears that
seem to cling like flowers on the vine.
truly, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

We should remember our smiles more than our tears, my friend. Thank you so much for your review. Lydi***

[m.s.early]

A gentle ride into the maturing experience. Wouldn't be wonderful to press the young against this? And have them catch it before it caught them? How wiser would they grow!

[Lydia Shutter]

Absolutely. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

To many this reflective piece is a reminder to be grateful and to appreciate each and every day we have. Nicely put and a smile is a smile, tired or not.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, John. Smiling is important...sometimes we can even fool ourselves. Lydi**

[Ruth]

Lydi, this is such a powerful reminder that time is a tyrant to most...though we can hold on to the insight and clarity of experience as time moves forward and hopefully with smiles abound even though tired...a beautiful reminder to accept and radiate with it :)

[Lydia Shutter]

We must accept....we have no other choice. Thank you for the review, Poppy. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we get tired as we age...and the moments go by so much faster, but it is good to grasp one or two, hold them close...and smile...even if it is but a tired smile.

you give us that moment here.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Jacob. Lydi**

[April Child]

True indeed, time rushes by and its so important to grab a piece of it to appreciate the little things or the big things. Imagine every morning waking up with no memory, how would you feel about your life? I tried it this morning and I smiled a big tired smile too :)

Finding ourselves in this the afternoon
Of our day, life takes on new meaning, we
Raise our faces to the sun’s warm fingers
Trade in our numbing fear for excitement
Yesterday’s gone but we still have tomorrow…

[Lydia Shutter]

Lovely thoughts, April. I can not imagine being trapped inside a body without memories. It horrifies me when I see people who have Alzheimer's. Thank you for your review. Lydi**

[....................]

This is a beautiful reminder that the time we have is ours and that we should cherish this time, for we only have it once... love the flow in this piece and the painting is a wonderful accompaniment...well-done, Lydi - FT

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, FT! Lydi**