We’ve got a bit of an impromptu blog hop going on.
I follow Christine Campbell’s blog. She just posted a poem about aging and yet not aging called “I Look in the Mirror.”
Her inspiration was “Shadows of Youth,” a post by Yobial Marin, a blogger Christine follows. Yobial reminds us that those with the experience of years have much to teach us, if we can overcome our own fear of mortality long enough to pay attention.
Christine’s poem inspired me to post this poem, which originally appeared in the Southern Indiana Writers Group’s anthology DRAGON: OUR TALES.
The next move, dear reader, is yours.
.
THE TRANSFORMATION
by Marian Allen
Yesterday
I was a tender maid,
muscles firm, eyes bright.
Today
my skin is wrinkled leather
covered with rough white scales.
I make noise walking;
my body large, unwieldy.
And do I guard my treasure?
Hoard it with bitter jealousy,
gloating, pinning it firmly
beneath my reddened claws?
I do.
“I do.”
We spoke those words
of brightest power and the spell
began. The decades of enchantment
ended when the life of the enchanter
ended.
See what I have become.
And what is left but treasure?
Coin, jewels, artifacts, remembrances
still warm from the enthrallment,
charming my heart to holocaust,
burning my eyes with salt.
Dim are the eyes of my reflection,
smoke-dim from the flame
that burns inside,
consuming me
as once the flame consumed
the tender maid.
If you’re inspired to post an essay, short story, picture, or poem on the topic, do so; link back to us and leave your link on our blogs in the comments. 🙂
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: age
MA
Christine Campbell
June 7, 2013 at 8:39amLove this poem, Marian. Just love it.
You are right, looks like we do have a wee impromptu blog hop going on. I like it. Hope it hops it’s way round farther.
Christine
Cicampbellblog.wordpress.com
Marian Allen
June 7, 2013 at 4:31pmI hope so, too, Christine. I had someone on Facebook the other day talking about things she hopes to do after she turns sixty, and I was thinking, “Yeah! After I turn sixty, I want to do those things, too!” Then I thought, “Oh. Wait. I’m MORE than sixty!” lol!
Christine Campbell
June 7, 2013 at 6:15pmLol! Do you sometimes forget your age too? He-he! I do that! Mind you, I’ve been known to forget my name too 🙂
Marian Allen
June 7, 2013 at 6:24pmI absolutely do that! I think about high school friends, and I think, “They’re all grown up, now. No, wait — they’re all OLD, now! Crap!”
Jane
June 7, 2013 at 9:11amOde Age, huh?
Nicely done.
Marian Allen
June 7, 2013 at 4:33pmHee hee! Ode age. ~snork~ 😉
Mary Montague Sikes
June 7, 2013 at 5:18pmMarian, what a brilliant poem! Thank you for sharing it!!!
Mary Montague Sikes
Marian Allen
June 7, 2013 at 5:55pmYou’re very kind to say so, Monti! If you do a post on the subject, don’t forget to post your link here!
christine.campbell.7967
June 7, 2013 at 9:04pmI know! @Marian Allen – I doubt if I’d recognise any of them now. Not if the way I’ve changed is anything to go by anyway!
Marian Allen
June 8, 2013 at 7:03amYou and I are like fine wine — we improve with age. 😉
Jo Robinson
June 8, 2013 at 10:29amLOVE this one Marian. Gorgeous old dragon. 🙂
Marian Allen
June 8, 2013 at 3:14pm🙂
Kiril Kundurazieff
June 8, 2013 at 9:18pmGreat poem!
I’ve written about age in a couple of contexts, but not even close to recent.
One piece about me turning 50, and another being a tribute to my adopted Granma.