Growing Old In Shabby Clothes
My childhood holy cards
of J.C., in royal robes, ascending
into heaven were framed
in the ethereal light after a storm
when clouds break to create colors
like Turquoise Blue, Hot Magenta,
& Atomic Tangerine.
How lucky I’ve been
for my minimal ambition:
living in the country
on a beautiful woman’s farm,
driving the backroads
in a rusty ‘84 Landcruiser,
learning to keep my nuisance down
and growing old in shabby clothes.
In the dark
waiting for Ole Sol
to make another Ascension,
I’m freckled with the shadow
of leaves in moonlight,
and my old belief returns
here, right here where I live,
how afraid I’ve been
of the simple moment
when life leaves
and my thoughts and breath
are absorbed into the orb
13 thoughts on "Growing Old In Shabby Clothes"
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Love the title, it’s rhythm and image and especially:
In the dark
waiting for Ole Sol
to make another Ascension,
I’m freckled with the shadow
of leaves in moonlight,
you really are
one of the best!!
I don’t often encounter such humbleness. it’s almost startling
“how afraid I’ve been
of the simple moment
when life leaves
and my thoughts and breath
are absorbed into the orb”
I knew we were kin.
Another wondrous work, Jim. Keep at it!
Exquisite! Loved freckled with the shadow of moonlight! Thanks for sharing and bringing nature to your work. Living in the suburbs I enjoyed seeing nature through your words!
Wonderful! I love the voice in this poem–humble, vulnerable, grateful. Makes me want to meet the poet!
Your words have endeared and inspired my heart this month! Thanks!
The intelligence and balance of the poem stands out: I love “learning to keep my nuisance down/and growing old in shabby clothes.”
I’ve enjoyed getting to read your poems and share this month with your work!
Love the title! The last line is golden.
It’s been a joy reading your poetry this month!
I’m right there with you, Jim, in almost every respect. It’s been an absolute pleasure to read you this month. As always.
I echo all of the above. Thank you for sharing your poems with us. I’m grateful for this format because I can return to reread them in the future.
learning to keep your nuisance down, thank you Jim for that, I completely understand now where before I didn’t.
Thanks again, Jim, for the poems you wrote, and for reading mine. I’m taking the time to read everyone now that I’m not in a hurry to publish one!