Boomer Poetry: Life’s Little Renewals
By Cafe on Dec 27, 2007 in Joanne Tolles
If we live long enough, we’ll all go where baby boomer poet Joanne Tolles has gone. Unless we’ve already been there. But somehow, where some of us find fear in a new stage of life, Joanne finds renewal!
I had to go there -
my license was expired.
I had to go to that place -
the dreaded DMV -
for my renewal.I waited and waited
and wondered why
they couldn’t be
efficient, polite, and friendly.
It’s always the same
at the DMV.
My name was called,
finally.
My picture pasted on
the card and the
next expiration date
boldly stamped -
2012.Sheer panic hit
as I did the math.
The next time I came
to the DMV for
my renewal
I would be - oh no - 58!How could that be?
I’d be almost dead -
surely in a wheelchair -
losing all my hair and
wearing false teeth.
How could that be?
Where had the years gone?It took me a day
living in this state
Of sheer panic
to see that
the prime of my life
is here now.
Now is when
all my years of work
can be fruitful
and really mean something.
Now is beautiful
and full of life.The paradigm shifted.
The renewal happened.
A new stage of my life is here.Welcome to my 50s.
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On Dec 28, 2007, Bill Tolless said:
Good perspective. Doesn’t pay to be looking back all the time. Plan for the future but live for the moment.
On Dec 28, 2007, Renee said:
Joanne,
I can easily relate to this poem. In 2012, I’ll be 58 years old as well. My blessing will surely be to live to see it. In that, I will be most grateful. There are phases to life. I am entering another seven year phase with 2008. Each phase brings me closer to God and life possibilities. I am starting the New Year off with promising job opportunities in the field of Drama/Theatre. On February 1, 2008, I will be in Phoenix, Arizona as the Director of a play. I just got the call yesterday. I am beaming. Life is good and I look swell to be my age, so do you dear friend. We are blessed! CONGRATULATIONS on this publication. I know there will be many more.
Much Love & Light † ♥ †
Renee
On Dec 29, 2007, Ron said:
You are indeed a free verse poet of merit, Joanne with get-up-and-go where many have none because it has got-up-and-gone.
Congratulations on verse with attitude and gratitude! Ron. xxx
On Dec 29, 2007, Ron said:
Poetry is one of the wings of the soul. Music is the other.
Dance and play are the soul’s legs.
And genuine laughter with love is the soul’s heart.
Luckily, the soul is also smart!
On Jan 7, 2008, Rick said:
As in youth, the days trickle through like sand in the hourglass. The vessel empties and the grains gain speed, being narrowed at the waist, forcing them downward. What was at the top now lies in a granular heap on the bottom and all that is left are memories.
On Jan 8, 2008, Rick said:
Jake, the Belgian Shepherd who lives with me and tries to stay within 2 feet of me for the past 10 years, is teaching me lots about the attitude of aging. He still thinks and acts like he is 2 years old, and does not seem to be aware of time’s passage or it’s effects. He does get up a little slower, but then he takes a little longer stretch before moving about. He seems to pick his chases more carefully now so instead of wildly flying off to rid the land of squirrels and any other encroachers, he seems to target those that he has the best chance of catching. Just a short time ago, he had to know everything that was going on in the world while now he seems content to become aware of only those events that will have the most positive impact on him. I have found that as I watch, learn and copy him life is indeed a bit easier.