Growing old gracefully

by Dr Audrey Coatesworth

I have placed a rocking chair

Quite big, in a sheltered place

Of the garden, in a corner

Away from the sun to face

In the shade I shall sit, maybe

Read the whole day through

Or possibly decide to write

A new poem - or even two

Inspiration gathered from

The colours of the flowers

Watching the birds that call

Will pass many of my hours

Contemplation, thinking deep

Sparing time for me a while

In this way I shall be able to

Greet each day with a smile

Silence, it's true , is golden

I often like its cloak around

Allowing memories to surface

Like crocuses from the ground

In the past they were planted

Some were given little thought

Most can bloom, they die away

Others just come to naught

Work and worry hand in hand

Have taken much of life away

I can now make adjustments

I have the time to rock away

But, to be quite truthful -

It is not within my nature

To waste time - any day

So I have had second thoughts

And given the chair away

I have now the time

To do just what I choose

But I still have much to do

I must go

No time to lose

Yes, I shall sit and contemplate

And gather strength anew

And then I shall be busy again

I have - simply – a different view

CopyrightACoatesworth2010