Age, decline, slowing down,
Health, so many factors
In my unwanted reality.
The pursuit of love becomes problematic
You don’t have any more
Whatever youthful charm
You once possessed.
The chase becomes a lumbering shuffle
Your chances are limited but don’t give up.
You body complains constantly
As you push it to behave as once it did in your twenties.
Parts that were always faulty are now chronically so
Drugs keep that at bay, but provide new issues
Weight increases, exercise declines, blood pressure drops
Some activities are fraught with danger.
Recovery once a matter of moments can go on for days
So tedious.
Then to stay alive they say don’t eat this, don’t eat that,
This no food diet will set you straight, yikes!
But I cannot conclude on such a pessimistic note
For we sensate types are more
Forward thinking than looking back.
My reality may be in many ways unwanted, but it is mine,
I make the best of what I have for age brings
Wisdom, reflection and evaluation.
So even though not everything
Is what I would like it to be
It’s my reality and it sits ok with me.
Written for: http://mindlovemisery.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/prompt-39-an-unwanted-reality/
Morpethroad 
Awww man, can I ever appreciate this! Why is getting older so hard? Aches, pains, where-did-I-put-my-glasses moments ~sigh~
It’s our reality Lynn but I did finish on a positive note, accepting my reality allows me to live each day always looking ahead.
Yep, that’s the way to do it. LOL and when insomnia strikes, read a book or write something 😀
Yes exactly done plenty of that.
Age was a great choice for the prompt Michael because it definitely brings unwanted changes (some good changes too and you are plenty charming). I laughed when I saw the no food diet because even though you are being cheeky it definitely feels that way. I have food allergies and there are times when I feel everything is off limits! I loved that you mentioned being a Sensate in this poem that made my day!
Couldn’t resist that reference…lol. Thank you for your comment, the no food diet is my reality, sadly. But I find I do bend the rules, as Christmas bears witness too. Thanks for the compliment, you’ve made my day.
I loved it =) I have a degree in Nutrition and I am proponent of moderation so nothing wrong with a little bending hehe
As wonderful and vivid description of the aging process. Every age has its beauty. Loved reading this.
Thank you Brille so pleased to see you reading my work, thank you again please call another time.
I love reading what you write. Always. 🙂
Thank you so much, I feel flattered.
Great response to the prompt – love the way you ended on a happy note (which is more than I can say for my response tot he prompt this week, LOL. 🙂 🙂
Thank you Helen, I couldn’t end mine in a pessimistic way as I realise I don’t like my reality all that much but on the other hand if I don’t ‘like’ it where will I be.
Can I just say I hear you brother? Especially after this weekend 😦 you have written about the not so many joys of growing old. Cold hard truths unfortunately. We shall continue to wake up breathing for as long as we can – and yes it is our reality. Great write Michael
Thank you Jenny, when we wake up and we still have a pulse then we get up and start a new day. Thanks again for your lovely comment.
The pulse is a biggie 🙂 you r welcome.
Works for me.
lol me too so far
I work with the elderly, and I watched my own father’s health decline over a period of six years, to the point where his death could only be considered a mercy. I really don’t fear death, in fact, with my condition (bipolar disorder) I sometimes think it’s taking too damn long to get here! I have no problem with aging per se. I’m not one of those “a lady doesn’t tell her age” types. Ask me my age and I will tell it! (I will be 49 in less than a month.)
I do fear losing my functions as my father did, and can only hope that this will not be the case. I would not want to put that on my son.
Thank you for your comment, I too cared for my ageing father and like you watched his slow decline. Life though is precious and whilst I understand the point you are making about your own death I never once saw my dad wish for death no matter how distressed he was. As for me I live with my own health issues and I have too much to live for. I am not ready yet, but I don’t fear it either. Thank you so much for your very thought provoking comment. I appreciate you visiting.
How they say the youth is wasted on the youth. Well said.
Thanks Kim, shame we don’t hae wisdom as a youth, I can remember when I was younger thinking I wouldn’t have wisdom until I was older and what a shame that was to have to wait so long.
I know. I try to pull my grown children to some of what I know. But like me they know everything. I also talk to my grandchildren but they learned how to just say ‘yes gramma’ 🙂
Yes children are like that Kim, my Gkids are the very young but I can see them going the same way though my 9yr old Gdaughter thinks I’m cool.
Mine are 10, 11 and 12. when I don’t spend the night they are sad. They say I’m fun. I cook, clean and play with them. Their parents don’t have time. They live on fast food.
Sounds like they are fun to be around. By June this year I will have 7 gkids…ahhhh……but they are aged from 11 down to minus…lol
Beautiful and insightful, as always… I leave you with a quote I adore:
Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
Betty Friedan
Thanks Pooky, and that’s how I see it too, just have to adjust to this new stage where I don’t move as quickly as I once did…opportunity at a slightly slower pace, maybe I’ll take more in this way. Have a good evening.
Don’t get me wrong… it would drive me nuts! I’m signed up to run the London Marathon in April and having done no exercise in over a decade I find myself shocked than I can’t run for miles as easily as I could when I was 17…. I think we always expect more of ourselves than is truly reasonable!
Oh I loved this! There are so many things also when you get older that you never imagine would happen. For one thing, you’ve got your kids, their spouses and their kids to worry about — in addition to all your other worries. Maybe that’s why memory fails a bit . . . perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise! HA! And boy can I relate to: “Recover once a matter of moments can go on for days”!! Yesterday I was limping around, why? Because I crossed my legs too long while I was writing! LOL!! We better hang on to our hats. Summers! It’s going to be a wild ride!
Wild it already is Linda. Thanks for quoting that line I have edited recover to recovery. Seems a good example of my eyes letting me down. And yes my kids and their little ones are a wonderful addition to my world. Gkid 7 will arrive in June all being well.
You take care, we older sorts have to be gentle on our selves. Call me Michael.
Oh the life of living & growing old. I hope I live to see the day when I have white hair & pretty wrinkles on my face. 🙂
The aches & pains I could do without – but – I know I’m not immune to them as I am already seeing signs of them. And – I know what my family tree is like. Oh well…
I like how you ended the poem with making the best with what you’ve got. Heck – why not? 😉
Exactly RoSy, it is easy to get down about ageing and your body not working like it should but it’s my lot and I have to make the best of it. So despite it all I’m ok.
🙂 🙂
Oh and I hope to be here when that grey hair is flowing and those wrinkles are the cutest.
I hope so too 🙂
I can see you as grandma RoSy growing gracefully old surrounded by a bevy of beautiful grandchildren hanging off your every word….
That is so sweet of you to say. I sure hope so. It would be a blessing to see & live all of that.
Have a wonderful day Michael. I’m just about out the door & off to work.
Have a good day. I’m off to sleep
Nighty-night
Ah such realities of physical aging yet the bonus of the mind that holds so many truths, wisdom and stories to share; a price to pay that may be well worth the discomforts. Lovely post…the positive edge at the end made me smile.
Thank you Oliana, I am happy to see you read my post. Yes I did have to put a positive twist to my unwanted reality because it does have a positive despite its unwantedness.
Very positive to end there. Lovely gentle read.
Thank you my unwanted reality is my true reality so I have to look at the positive, so easy to be negative. Thank you again.