Aging Gracefully: Reflections on "The Old Barn"
Old age is just that.
Having climbed
Hills, mountains
Crossed rivers, lakes
Hiked woodlands.
Strolled fair meadows
Slid on frozen sidewalks
Hurried across burning streets
Always looking
Both ways, and
Fore and aft.
Now.
We have learned
an appropriate pace
We choose our steps
accordingly, more carefully
We are the sum of generations
And the company of others.
Some chosen, some found
Some gifted to us
Some gone.
We choose our spoon
Our knife
Our remaining life.
Oh there is more to come
Fewer choices though
Down the path
That we have learned
To tread,
Facing a few more corners.
Malcolm McKinney 2024
Enjoyed this. I am an old barn. I am partial to sunrises and sunsets. It’s a good day when I awaken pain free.
I’m sorry you ever have pain but yes I understand and I think it’s a good day for us two old barns to awaken each day
A peaceful read
Thank you. It was for me as well…the poem
Peaceful indeed
Old age is just that.
Having climbed
Hills, mountains
Crossed rivers, lakes
Hiked woodlands.
Strolled fair meadows
Slid on frozen sidewalks
Hurried across burning streets
Always looking
Both ways, and
Fore and aft.
Now.
We have learned
an appropriate pace
We choose our steps
accordingly, more carefully
Now.
We are the sum of generations
And the company of others.
Some chosen, some found
Some gifted to us
Some gone.
Now.
We choose our spoon
Our knife
Our remaining life.
Oh there is more to come
Fewer choices though
Down the path
That we have learned
To tread,
Facing a few more corners.
Old age is just that.
Malcolm McKinney 2024
Enjoyed this. I am an old barn. I am partial to sunrises and sunsets. It’s a good day when I awaken pain free.
I’m sorry you ever have pain but yes I understand and I think it’s a good day for us two old barns to awaken each day
A peaceful read
Thank you. It was for me as well…the poem
Peaceful indeed