Missing Youth

Have you seen it?

 

Have you seen my missing youth?

The one I've always had?

With no goodbye, it just went poof!

And fled like blowing sand

 

Just yesterday, or day before

I climbed the tallest trees

But now the steps to my front door

Cause creaking in my knees

 

All throughout this place called home

Someone goes to town

Sneaking in while I am gone

And moving things around

 

Is that mirror on the wall

Haunted by some geezer?

That’s not my face, after all

With eyebrows needing tweezers

 

I can hardly reach my toes

When trying, I abort

Some villain’s work, don't you know

That made my arm grow short!

Author's Note

This is what'll happen to ya if you insist on waking up every morning.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I found your missing youth. It's in my baby daughter's eyes. It's just the cycle moving forward you understand, it's nothing personal...we have to grow old...die and leave our thoughts behind hoping someone will find them worthwhile. It's what poets and storytellers do. I think it's a better legacy than many...but children are our real legacy...inspire one and your life was not spent in vain.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Fabian, You're right, of course. I see it in my grandchildren. Growing old can be a beautiful thing.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It's easier when you start with a beautiful soul like yours my friend. God bless you and yours.

[Beren]

This reminds me of a poem, to translate it this way:
"Did it snow to my temples, what is it?
Is that creased face mine, my God?
What about the purple under-eye circles?
Why do you seem as enemy;
The mirrors I recognize as ally for years?"
I wonder how you feel about reading this poem now, considering you wrote it over 10 years ago? You were 12 years younger then. And life has moved on, and a lot has probably changed. It's strange to watch people' life change. I was 7 when this poem was written... And it feels different to think someone talked about these when i just turned a kid. A bit depressing words but i hope you notices how young you were back then, and how you will always be younger than the tomorrow. Is it that good being a young? How i don't know about that?!
Thank you for sharing sir.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Your poem mirrors my own. Aging is either very slow or very fast, so I've found. Twelve years ago I was 65 and feeling quite old. Now at 77, it's a lot worse. I don't dare complain, for getting old is something not everyone will experience, like my mother who dies at 48 or younger brother who only made it to 56. Treasure your youth, dear Beren.

[Beren]

I understand. My father passed away on my birthday when he was 46. You are right, getting old is not something everyone will experience. And I don't think it's a bad thing either way. You are a blessed writer and sharing your experience is a good thing for sure! I am so sorry for your losses. Hope you are doing well sir. Wishing you a great life.

[Betty Hermelee]

I get it Sam! you portray aging quite well...and i fell it in my bones now....creaking, wobbly, aches here and there...it's no picnic, but we must all go though it, or not...no more days of youth when we could run, catch a ball. do hand stands, etc....we shrink in our body and mind...i like your descriptions....and surely can relate...
nice write!
Warmly, B

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Betty. I'm glad you like it.

[Betty Hermelee]

you're very welcome!
Warmly, B

[Marie]

A fun write so wittily pinned in perfect rhythm and rhyme on the 'joys' of reaching old age and wondering where our youth escaped to. The flow to the poem is effortless like the years of our youth going by without we realising it and 'suddenly' finding ourselves unrecognisable in the mirror! A very relatable poem for so many of us, Sam! Thank you so very much for sharing. I so enjoyed reading and the depiction truly brought the poem to life for me. I love it!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Marie. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Marie]

Most welcome always, Sam. Thank you again for sharing, dear friend...

[Philip Gaber]

That was fun. I can totally relate. We all should have been born Benjamin Button. Old to young, at least then we'd have something to look forward to and we'll be too young to worry about death. That would be my paradise.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Being old sure isn't for sissies.

[Philip Gaber]

Yep, for sure...

[Lorry]

Just flicking through your pages for a something I hadn't read yet and glad I found this one.
Why is it that feet are so far away from us that we have to try concertina ourselves into origami, just to put socks on. And don't get me started with toenail cutting! I think the same ghost must have swapped my toenails for something more akin to battleship material.
And yeah, that old guy in the mirror is following me too! 😊

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks. Old age comes for us all... if we're lucky. I think our maker equipped us both with the same toenail material. Do pedicurists cost much?

[Miss Sharon]

Love all of this write (which I can identify with) and the fresh sense of humor to wrap it all up. Thanks for the much needed smiles today. ~Sharon

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Miss Sharon. Better to laugh about it than cry--right?

[Neville]

Sheeesh sir, dont I just know ya write the bloomin truth our Samuel …. X celently put my friend and true

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, my friend.

[john l smith]

It is the mirror thing that is the biggest problem
That sorry sight is quite a fright
Very funny and all very relatable.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I'm thinking about replacing the bathroom mirror with a picture of George Clooney.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Haaaaa! I know the feeling well- am feeling it right now in fact, Sam. I love Mr. Magoo, what a great character. I didn’t quite get him when I was a kid, but I totally get him now. The eyebrows, the arms, the knees- when did they decide to mutiny? Ah yes, then the mirror revolted too. Treason, I say! But, nobody to walk the plank...but us geezers! Delightfully funny and well-penned.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Yeah, ya gotta be tough to be old.

[Stella Armour]

Hahaha, mine has gone astray as well.

I love your humour , sometimes we have to laugh so that we don't cry :)

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Yes, it's best to laugh about it. (We "well-seasoned" folks look pathetic when we cry.)

[Stella Armour]

well yes it makes the wrinkles look worse :)