how old people learn their lessons
we’ve made our mistakes
loved who we’ve loved
bettered our lives
where and when we could
believe this is what we’re here for
but our stories are ending
notions rupturing
people dying
our stories unravelling
in ways we couldn’t have wanted and didn’t expect
peace become palliative
certainty uncertain
lost we live on
with the ones we still have
struggling to accept the moral arcs of our lives are concluding
some part of grief is shame
we fail the ones we love
lose control of the past
wonder at some level if everything was probably our fault all along
this is story of grief we want
we were whole and at peace
a week or two ago
until we were abruptly broken
and now we pull ourselves together and make amends with our enemy time
so we make new mistakes
love who we love
better our lives
where and when we can
and believe this is what we’re here for
10 thoughts on "how old people learn their lessons"
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I really love the longer lines at the end of each stanza. Very nice, thank you for sharing!
thank you. i’m glad you appreciate the line lengths.
Very wise, Jules. Stanza 4 hits especially hard.
Thank you, Kevin. And thanks for your help on this one.
Yes, this is where we’re all at these days!
“Some part of grief is shame” is insightful. It hits home.
Thanks Shauna. So glad to be getting to know you and your work
Brilliant bookending.
Adjusting the syntax made it pop.
And the long lines give the middle stanzas the heft they earn.
Great poem.
Thanks. And right back at ya.
You have definitely gotten me thinking.