Sweet with Age
Jun 17th, 2008 by John
Sweet with Age
by
John W Frye
They live on property
near the valley
of the shadow of death.
This man I know who weeps
involuntarily when he remembers
90 years of life’s kindnesses.
He’s seen war and the damage of war.
He’s worked hard and believed well.
He wants to outlive his aged wife
so he can care for her to the end.
This woman I know
whose labored breathing scares her.
Who likes independence, not the limits
of a hospital bed. She likes to
drive her car and has the best cookies.
This other man I know
whose wife died two years ago
and who says, “I’m lonely a lot now
in my house.” Who gets in his car
and visits lonely widows of his
dead friends. Who embraces and weeps
with a man whose wife is aged and ill.
A rice paper-thin veil separates these
time-seasoned ones
from eternity’s landscape.
They remember things and laugh,
and cry, but do not seem to regret their journeys.
In their wrinkled faces I still can see the life
that sparkled in their wedding pictures.
They call me “young man” and I like that.
They are sweet with age,
porous to God and others.
They are free from scrambling to make it
or to be somebody.
They are at ease with the uneasy sounds
of the final curtain falling
on this play called life.
They remind me that the dark
shadow of death valley
is cast by the great,
shining light of God’s love.
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Beautiful John.
at ease with the uneasy sounds
of the fnal curtain falling
I loved this phrase especially.
Thanks, Grace. And I corrected the spelling on”final.”
the first line caught me by surprise
Wonderful and powerful words.
I enjoy reading your blog.
I hope you have a blessed week!
Nancy,
I am glad it did catch you by surprise. I liked it, too, after I finally got it to read the way I wanted…
“They live on property
near the valley
of the shadow of death.”
Preacherman,
You have a blessed week, too. Praise the Lord who watches over us. Thanks for the comments.
Your daughter did indeed get her talent from you. (A Cup of Cold Water still resonates in my soul).
Sue,
Lori is so creative and expressive. I am glad you like the short, but punchy poem “A Cup of Cold Water.” How are things going “down under”?
Beautiful strength in these words, John.
Some dear elderly people in my congregation are in this place.
Dana
Dana,
I believe the elderly people are gifts from God to us, especially those who are bluntly honest about life and maintain faith in God.
I like the thought they don’t have to try and “be someone” or “make it”. I want to live life like that.
Very, very nicely put, John.
Post Blackbird Song,
When I am with these folks I too think, “Lord, let me be like them when I am at their age.”
Z-man,
Thank you very much, Bro. Thanks for stopping by.
Very nice. I have known a few people like this and I also pray that I can be like that when I am their age.
[...] new to John Frye, over at Jesus the Radical Preacher. He has posted a number of poems and the following is one stanza in a poem, called Sweet with Age, about the beauty of the older years. So, no need to be too disappointed that 53 year-old Greg [...]