aging

poetry

Reclaiming

August 31, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Reclaiming

Twisting jeweled cuffs over knuckles,

silky knot loosely skimming cleavage.

Gathering, clasping silver sparkled strands,

gracefully dabbing her beaded forehead.

Scrutinizing mirrored reflections,

slipping into glistening peds, then rising.

Grasping cool marble, steadying her walker.

Gliding slowly, halting, gasping.

Long estranged, eyes locked,

sparks of youth flaming as shadows pass.

*****

This is a combined prompt response:

Six Sentence Story completed in the form of a poem, using the prompt word “twist.”

Living Poetry Monday prompt “write an extraneous poem.”

poetry, Poetry Forms

Stairway of Life

December 6, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

stairs grayscale photography — Photo by JorgeArturo Andrade on Pexels.com

Stairs, when young were fun
adventurous as we crawled, then
ran up oh so fast
at four, I tumbled downstairs
it was my first memory

funny thing about
stairs, how they take us up and
down we go again
it’s kind of like life, you know
there are ascents and descents

taking the first steps
is such a challenge to do
also, to observe
cajoling along the way
making sure they climb safely

once they are alone
taking their own steps, choices
going up and down
how we want to be there and hold
hands out like we’re banisters

letting them go free
is one of the toughest things
but oh, so vital
to watch their independence
wishing they would hold your hands

holding them in hearts
keeping watch and being there
just enough to show
they have got this, and they know
you are going to be there

then there comes a time
when you’re not so much around
and they’re on their own
then you trust that all you’ve done
is enough and hope it’s true

and before you know
they are helping someone else
crawling up those stairs
holding hands and guiding them
it’s the circle of dear life

when you are the one
who needs help as you ascend
trusting they will be
holding you close in their hearts
and the world moves at your pace

you will know the life
as the descent comes for sure
where the light still shines
from the glow of your most dear
as you make that final climb

Senior Health, short story

Migration is happening with my body, aging as it is, it’s heading Southward in the fat zone.
Onward into the bellies, upper and lower, buttocks, thighs, hips, legs, you get the picture.
Voluminous, it feels as water weight joins the adipose tissues, further weighing down my lower extremities.
Inching tight jeans slowly over my thighs, gripping the waist to come together and zip snuggly over the belly.
Negating the inevitable, I understand there is one way to resolve the issues.
Gratitude wins as I come to realize that not everybody gets the chance to have such challenges with life.

…..

So, there’s my Six Sentence Story. Would you like to join? Go to this LiNK! Every week Denise posts a word prompt for us to write to and this week’s word was MIGRATION.

poetry

Completely Old

April 24, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

gold colored chain necklace with watch pendant — Photo by Lukas Hartmann on Pexels.com

Completely Old

You know you are completely old
when your shoes have shrunk in the night
when your once sexy jeans look a fright
but you find you have more to behold

You know you are completely an elder
when your hippity has lost some hop
when your teeth start to find a new spot
as your belly laughs from too much pepper

You know you are getting old, right?
when the wrinkles turn into road maps
when you find you have a little less lap
when the slightest bump hits you at night

You know you are completely aged
when your memories take you to youth
when you finally care less about looks
when you have reached the level of sage

You know your mind is in tact
from researching, reading and stuffs
avoiding too many fluffs
you still render out some great facts

You know you’re completely old
when there are no brakes between brain and mouth
when gravity takes it all south
your disposition has turned quite bold

Grow old with the attitude of zeal
you are not going to change the life scale
you are not yet set to derail
so get up and practice your whee

…..
There you have it! Day #24 of National Poetry Month.
Thanks to the prompts from Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic Asides:

“For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Complete (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then write your poem. Possible titles include: “Complete Best Day I Ever Had,” “Complete Guide to Writing Poems,” “Completely Wrong Way,” and “Completed Set.””