With Age
The man’s lived nearly half his life
he looks around at kids and wife
he’s her man and he’s their dad
but even so he still feels sad
sad about what he doesn’t know
save for the fact it seems to grow
on autumn’s often chilly nights
after wife and kids are set to rights
he stands outside to close his eyes
and lifts his hands to evening skies
and prays to feel the way he did
when he was just a little kid
back then he never thought it odd
to talk and laugh and sing with God
but now his childhood friend feels far
as brother moon and northern star.
After a spell the sound of the train
stirs up that verse about ‘not in vain’
so he lowers his hands and opens his eyes
and steadies himself to step back inside
guessing with age its not all that bad
to be thoroughly happy, occasionally sad.
Yes, that’s how it feels to be middle- aged…. Blessing and melancholy together. Thanks for putting it into words!
Thanks John This is me right now on my life. I’ve done exactly this very thing and felt exactly these feelings. This just resonated with me today and I had to reply. Thanks again Chip
Chip Richter “Music for Kids & Familes” http://www.chiprichter.com 330.540.7486
A new find. Told my friends in Canton OH bout your concert.
Well, this is great. It reminds me of a few things I want to discuss with God once I leave this life . . . like . . . why is it that when I was young, and had no pain – I didn’t realize that I didn’t have any pain – and now that my body is beginning to creak and squeak – I know that I didn’t have pain then, but that doesn’t help me now? And, why is it that when I had endless energy, and a great memory, and could go like the ever ready (sp?) battery – I didn’t realize I had energy, and I just thought it was normal – and it was normal then – but it isn’t now – and I only know that in retrospect. It’s all such an amazing mystery. That makes me wonder what it is that I have now that I don’t know I have, and will only know in a decade or so. My Goodness! Just sayin’ . . .
I had to send it to my husband. Had. To. This is IT.
Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.
Wow… Touches me to the core. Changing seasons of life.
You are the best thing in my inbox.
And there’s that train whistle again…and here’s my heart in your words….again. Thank you.
[…] With Age by John Blase […]
Well-stated. I always appreciate a good poem on an autumn night. Thank you.