When I think of aging
visions of nature appear poetically,
ready to be written across the page.
But my hand tremor sets script askew,
not unlike a preschooler’s
first attempt at printing their name.
——–
Bright pink ruffled peony
once perkily perched,
quite the showy thing
gleaming amongst greenery.
Now droops beneath residue
of last night’s fierce thunderstorm,
struggles to hold its bloom.
Newborn foal,
gangly tries to gain its footing.
Youthfully romps through fields
colored riotously in wildflowers.
Years later, put to pasture.
Stands swaying slightly,
head down, eyes clouded,
wildflowers a dull blur.
And I myself, mark changes in my body.
Steps slow and sometimes falter,
veins protrude on hands.
News comes
of friends facing grave illness,
friends who leave this earth.
I reflect more and more
on what was, and what is,
and what is to come.
Perennials dance in spring’s fresh air,
stand proudly through their season.
Then wilting, lie down to disintegrate
beneath winter’s winds and snow.
But their seed is strong.
The next generation takes their place,
for they are perennials
and their beauty continues.
Written for Tuesday Poetics at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. Today, dear friend Sanaa is hosting. She asks us to write in the style of Amber Rose Tamblyn, an American actress, author, poet, and film director. Sanaa tells us Tamblyn’s “poetry is incredibly unique and descriptive. When asked where the power lies when it comes to writing, Amber Rose answered, ‘when it makes you feel every human emotion all at once.’” Sanaa asks us to create visuals in our poem and “aim to explore the human condition.”
Image by Tabea on Pixabay.com
lillian the home poet 
You had me at “When I think of aging
visions of nature appear”
Such beautiful imagery. And the last stanza about perennials shows your heart. You are a blessing.❤️🙏🏼
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What a sweet and wonderful reply to read today. Thank you, Melissa!
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This po
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Oops. Nancy….didn’t get your entire reply. Could you repost? Would love to hear what you think of this poem….I always treasure your responses.
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This is incredibly moving, Lillian! I love the visuals you create here especially; “Bright pink ruffled peony once perkily perched, quite the showy thing, gleaming amongst greenery. Now droops beneath residue of last night’s fierce thunderstorm, struggles to hold its bloom.” You are one of the strongest people I know! Thank you for such a gorgeous response to the prompt ❤️❤️
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So glad you liked it, Sanaa. I really enjoyed working with this prompt.
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Yayy! I am glad you enjoyed it! 🥰🥰
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I love this Lill…. so visual and the last section says it all about life.. you are strong even against some prevailing winds and have produced some beautiful seeds (children). Thank you for sharing… so beautiful!
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Thank you so much, Adda. Always good to see you here. I so hope our paths will cross again some day 🙂 George’s Aunt Flo, a Commander in the Navy in WWII who worked with Admiral Nimitz, always used to say, “Growing old is not for sissies.” How true it is….and as I always say, thankful for every day.
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I hope our paths cross again. ❤
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I love the comparison to women aging… perennials. That is so perfect! We rise to bloom another day!
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Yes!
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Beautiful, intimate sharing of yourself, Lillian ❤
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Thank you.
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“The next generation takes their place,
for they are perennials
and their beauty continues.”
Poignant poem on the natural process of life, living, aging, journeying.
Much💖love
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Thankful for your comment here….yes, you understand the poem exactly.
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Beautiful, Lillian. Wonderfully told of Mother Nature’s way of aging.
I fit all of this very well, as seems you if you are the person writing.
Mrs. Jim and I also have eight doctors or techs at our Methodist Hospital helping us to stay alive and in pretty good health.
..
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Thank you Jim…..best wishes to you and your wife.
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I love your reflections on life and death and hope for the future. Life cycles leave no one exempt. I like the hope found in perennials!
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Thank you, Dwight. Perennials and the knowing spring will always come….just like the next wave on the ocean shore….
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Yes! :>)
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Gorgeous representations of aging with each visual. So open and real yet you still bring us hope and sunshine as you always do, dear Lill.
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Thank you so much, Mish. I do always treasure your comments.
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We are all perennials in the time scale of the earth, even if some people behave as though they’re going to live forever. Lovely imagery.
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Thanks, Jane!
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Very, very poignant, Lillian… I love your comparison.
❤
David
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Thank you, David!
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Bittersweet imagery, mirroring the journey of life. Beautifully written!
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Thank you so very much for your kind comment.
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The imagery is so brilliant Lilian, it says so much💞
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So glad you enjoyed!
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As flowers of the field, we fade…but what a lovely life!
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Exactly! 🙂
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Lyrical, full of images that Amber Tamblyn might well have chosen and tied together so well with the theme of ageing
“I reflect more and more
on what was, and what is,
and what is to come.”
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Thank you so much for the kind comment!
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very thought-provoking and reflective poem.
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Thank you, Stacy!
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Lillian I enjoyed this immensely, relating naturally to the stanzas mentioning ‘our aging status’ ~ each of your standalone pieces is amazing.
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Thank you so much, Helen!
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Gorgeous imagery throughout this excellent poem, Lillian!
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