Senior poetry

Senior poetry There are many people who turn to writing poems as they move into elderhood.

Some claim that the image of the mature Robert Frost trying to read his poem at the inauguration of JFK or Mya Angelou reading On the Pulse of Morning during the inauguration of President Clinton in 1993  inspired seniors to try their hand at poetry.

But the history of poetry being written by seniors goes back much further than the 20th century. In the Phaedo, a dialogue about Socrates' last day, he says that his dreams have made him realize that he had done little to exercise his creative side and so has taken to writing poetry.

Perhaps similar desire to exercise creativity is one of the reasons why so many seniors  turn their hand to poetry. Composing poems offers an opportunity to exercise the creativity of our right brain.

Whatever the reason, there are many who find meaning and challenge in the writing of poems - especially after the retire from full time work. 

Here are some original poems submitted by readers of this web site. Note: Poets who submit more than one poem over time will have earlier poems removed when the latest poem is published.

 If you are a senior poet and wish to submit one of your poems for publication on this page, you can use the form below. Be sure to include your real email address. I am very careful to check since I do not want this site populated by those unwilling to acknowledge their own work.  Without an email address, your work will not be published.  (Note: I delete addresses as soon as I check them out as real. I have no intention of spamming you or anyone.)

SPECIAL NOTE The site will publish ONE poem from each poet (We want to keep spaces for future poets submitting their work.) Choose the ONE poem you want to see published here. AND be sure to include your first and last name.  If you submit more than one poem, other poems by you will be removed from the site.  

If you have a book of poetry available through Amazon, do let me know and I can place a link to it at the end of your poem.

Thanks.


Are you senior poet ?

Do you have a poem? Share it! Be sure to state you age (so the page is not hijacked by younger poets) Also I can not use poems already published - that would violate copyright law.

Thanks

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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FIND THE HUMOR AND LAUGH 
FIND THE HUMOR AND LAUGH! By Patricia Fleming Laughter now comes easily. I don’t take life so seriously. I feel more sure of who I am And care less …

Spider Webs 
You never cease to amaze me, God. Each day there's something new, as I venture out into the world so beautifully made by You. This morning it was the …

Tears 
AS THE TEARS RUN DOWN MY FACE,AS I Sit Here with the pain, I know your at God's place, AS my tears flow like the rain, My heart aches so, I continue to …

Tears 
AS THE TEARS RUN DOWN MY FACE AS my tears flow like the rain, My heart aches so, I continue to grieve, Why did you go, Why did you leave, You're …

Hello Old Man 
While wandering the pastoral Arlington streets I came across a lovely flowered abode My ears did focus on boisterous children playing Their mother’s …

Meandering Thoughts on a Rainy Day 
Meandering Thoughts on A Rainy Day © Gary Shulman, MS. Ed. June 23, 2023 Forgive my feeble attempts to say Words of wisdom on a gray rainy day But …

Seven Decades and Beyond 
Decade One: You’re learning to grow and to behave, mostly ‘cause mom told you so.” Decade Two: You’re taking big risks while strutting about …

I’M NOT DEAD — YET 
I’M NOT DEAD — YET I’m not dead — Yet… The world is closing in on me I have things to do — Yet… Maybe, I’ll leave it up to you But, it’s here …

A Prayer for My Aging Body 
What is it you want from me? How can I help you just BE? All this time trying everything, Yoga, Tai Chi, even upside down in the yoga swing. You'd …

We Only Have Today 
We Only Have Today © Gary Shulman, MS. Ed. August 1, 2021 I’ll wait until I retire That’s when the fun will begin Well sadly crystal balls don’t …

Alone 
I came alone Although not without help As if a cyclone Swirling sent me with a yelp. From my cozy existence The warmth of a womb I arrived with resistance …

Watching a Great Granddaughter At Play 
She frolics without care. Her joy is plain to see: Her laughter fills the air. We two make quite a pair. I rub my aching knee; she frolics without …

Watching a Great Granddaughter At Play 
She frolics without care. Her joy is plain to see: Her laughter fills the air. We two make quite a pair. I rub my aching knee; she frolics without …

Watching a Great Granddaughter At Play 
She frolics without care. Her joy is plain to see: Her laughter fills the air. We two make quite a pair. I rub my aching knee; she frolics without …

Fool's Golden Years 
Two elders, huddled and crying, sit on debris where their beloved home once stood, until a dark vortex came down the road destroying their past …

Escape The Hospital 
I wanna go home and hit the road. Get away from doctors, nurses and pills and all that. I wanna blow this scene. Go to Ottawa And march …

i cannot speak for other seniors. 
Each Day Has Value Days are not to be wasted, They must be thoroughly chewed and tasted. Each moment savored, Being sure we have not wavered. …

Legacy 
I am a 70 year old poet Legacy © Gary Shulman, MS. Ed. July 21, 2021 So let’s just suppose today was the day You looked in the mirror and to yourself …

Ode to a Vintage Soul 
Ode to A Vintage Soul © Gary Shulman, MS. Ed. July 1, 2021 As his journey approaches 90 years Of life on earth, it’s time, To reflect on such a …

The Flight of the Blackbirds: A Message to An Empty Nest 
A blanket of emptiness darkened the windows of her solitary room. She was startled, but expectant of the shadowy arrival of a lingering loneliness that, …

Home Repair  
There is rot that needs repair around the porch and under the stair, and the caulking’s cracked at the windows and door; it’s the price for …

A Senior Momemt 
A Senior What? A What? When? Not Again? I Forgot? Why I'd Never! I Don't Remember! Oh, OK, I'll write it down.

A Senior Momemt 
Do What? When? Not Again? I Forgot? Why I'd Never! I Don't Remember! Oh, OK, I'll write it down.

I CAN STILL MATTER 
As time passes on I turn the next page to discover a new me while I continue to age. I may no longer be who I was long ago but I still can matter …

Click here to write your own.

Father Time 
Father Time {Free Verse} • Copyright © daniel miltz • Cloud of dreams, rushing past, spiraling Clocks ticking, time running out, soaring Sitting …

A Dream 
Then in they walk. Of course, they do as if expected. The warmth, their hugs "Can you walk a bit more now Grammy?" It smells so good in …

THE AFTERNOON CALL 
THE AFTERNOON CALL (The Call to an Empty Nest) The sky grays and her vision dims The air chills as she spots a fire log at the door’s entrance The …

THE AFTERNOON CALL 
THE AFTERNOON CALL (The Call to an Empty Nest) The sky grays and her vision dims The air chills as she spots a fire log at the door’s entrance The …

ON THIS MAY MORNING  
From how far beyond sun does truly come this light Which radiance spills through limpid celestial blue To claim the green-leafed dome that now sustains …

Playing in the sand box 
Once we children Playing In the sandbox The future With Dreams Hopes Sorrows Now grown old We Play In the sandbox Of the past Letting Memories …

The Hen Party  
The Hen Party {Free Verse} May 7, 2018• Copyright © daniel miltz, age72 Like salt from a shaker They all poured into an acre The Tuckaway-- …

She Dances 
It has been a typical day Of chores, grocery shopping, Visiting with a neighbor, Phone calls made and received. Nothing special. Not in her harsh …

Country Life 
Country Life Sketch an outline of a farm where people live with chickens cows horses and a llama or two. with a nice house and a huge barn …

Ode to Baby Boomers 
Boomers starting to mature Stockpile anti-age brochures Before we all go back to dust Start bucket list, write living trust Once was active, young, …

Leaving Grand Central 
Three conditions shamed his wanting a mate: aching bones, incontinency, gray hair too thin to dye. But it's Saturday morning, and …

A Little Gray Hair 
I think I see a little gray hair, But I'm thankful for anything I find up there For as I get older day by day, I expect my hair to turn to gray But …

SISTER, SISTER 
Oh mirror of myself, where have you gone? I can't see where I am without your voice Reflecting back absurdities; always our choice For helpless laughs …

Cave Of Words 
Cave of Words In a small room next to the service porch I have a cave. The cave has a view of an ivy-covered wall and several trash bins from …

Cave Of Words 
Cave of Words In a small room next to the service porch I have a cave. The cave has a view of an ivy-covered wall and several trash bins from …

Kind To Your Mind 
KIND TO MY MIND I won’t clutter my mind. Won’t moan. Won’t groan. Won’t revive old ghosts from the past. Won’t worry about any future unknown. …

The Retiree 
The Retiree He goes through familiar motions Enters and exits vehicles and buildings in his reduced purpose world Writes of the rain Writes of the …

Omaha Beach 
I Sunset paints horizon an ominous red Foreboding waves slap side of ship I, Private Robert Ryan Infantry, yes sir grunt light up: deep, …

The Upper Room 
A cold commute in predawn hours, down urban streets, past squalid bowers. Old buildings laced with boarded doors and rented rooms on upper floors. …

ODE TO AQN ELDERETTE 
Living a life of almost/Knowing full well enough,/and everything?Getting up and staying up/Wiser than King Saul/Smarter than Einstein/Humbler than the …

Marriage Counseling 
MARRIAGE COUNSELING A man and wife who went for counsel Fought an awful lot. The counselor asked …

RE/ Inner voice of Mark Birros 
THE INNER VOICE OF MARK BIRROS With that invisibilty of age I can fly my life like a kite ! Uninvited and unseen, albescent, grey, you know what …

EPIC POEM : THE INNER VOICE OF MARK BIRROS  
With that invisibilty of age I can fly my life like a kite ! Uninvited and unseen, albescent, grey, you know what I mean, ( not the first flush of …

Still Life Love (unpublished, my age: 73) 
The shell from whence I came long gone, now emerging several decibels later, I still say farewell unscathed. For painting scenes from life, I've …

Fighting Alzheimers  
I live each day, one day at time and On my computer I create poems. Yes I have been diagnosed with Alzheimers But my life is still mine. …

Click here to write your own.

ALONE 
Working, getting and buying; so hard it feels like dying How do I stop this madness and gain back my gladness Grandkids gone and children grown; my loneliness …

MY TWO GRANDSONS 
These little guys are amazing Really and no lie I could never keep up with them No matter how hard I'd try Twelve days apart; they stole my heart For …

Eighteen 
Eighteen years of knowing You were always there to talk In your place at the back of the hall By my side for a journey through the woods Reading to …

50 Ain't Fatal 
When I'm dead, I'm dead And when I'm gone, I'm gone But while I'm still breathing I will bring it on Don't tell me because I'm 50+ That my life …

The Final Goodbye 
The Final Goodbye (dedicated, to my deceased dad, Boyd Gerald) Years ago, when I was ten I found your lifeless body face down on the frozen ground. …

Step in My Shoes 
You can’t understand what it feels like to be me, My heart is aching for some one to see. I sit here all day and watch as you go by You don’t even see …

The Sum of All Fears 
My memory has faded and yet I remember it’s gone. I feel so alone, I do not belong… You ask me a question and my mind is a blank The terror I feel can’t …

The Long Way There 
Not a moment too soon to splendor At the sights along the way. Just seconds to see what is there, And to respond accordingly at the display. You …

Early Spring Evening 
Early Spring Evening Ngo Doan Dai (Ottawa, ON, Canada) The evening sun roses the tops of trees; The far building behind the clump is flared; On …

Winter in Ottawa 
Winter in Ottawa by Ngo Doan Dai (Ottawa, ON, Canada) It's winter in Ottawa, And the gentle breezes blow, The trees stand quiet in the area, …

Red tulips and.... 
We have a program Seniors Who Paint. We insert Seniors art on our site www.tlcgreetings.com and we give back a commission to the artist on all their greeting …

The Upper Room 
A cold commute in predawn hours, down urban streets, past squalid bowers. Old buildings laced with boarded doors and rented rooms on upper floors. …

Till The End of Time 
I have left the choking maze of concrete patterns behind me to stand at lands end. It is here I have found the beating heart of Mother Earth. She …

How Sick Am I? 
I walk each day my head held high Telling myself it's not time to die Breathing deeply I meditate My body is in healthy state As winter comes I'm …

Hopecycle  
Today is exciting to every creature under the sky My days filled with happiness and joy before that I may die I dream with anticipation of all …

Sanctuary 
Deep within the bosom Of man lies a holy Sanctified place set Apart for the one who Created him- this place is Sanctuary. Manmade artifacts,holy …

Woman. 
She’s a smile in the rain, she’s the sun on the rise She’s a heavenly angel in mortal disguise, She is birdsong on evenings when time is stood still …

The poetry of life. 
I feel the tiredness of my years, those quiet times when breath appears in melting mosaic imagery, upon the mirrors of a sea that only calls so many …

As Days Go By 
I put research, painting and poetry on my blogs It makes me happy that my information goes around the world I have always been an older brother And …

Reminiscence 
So here we are In our "senior" years. We've done our best; made some mistakes, Danced with joy and cried some tears. And now as we sit looking back, …

Getting Near The End 
As I look out the window I can't help thinking of the End And what's there waiting for me During my adult, I've been an atheist And I've let other's …

Larry Anderson in The Unknown Land 
Eyes open Arrogance shattered i awaken In the unknown I see more clearly As we move together On the journey …

Ode to Mama 
Short in height, tall in stature Wrinkly, gray-haired, a twinkle in her eye Adorable to see. Wisdom permeated her Correcting grammar was her …

LUSMINIA SARVIDA STEWART 
I WISH I WERE A CHILD BY LUSMINIA SARVIDA STEWART As the sun rises man’s work has just begun… Sundown tells him his job is already done. Lovely …

From The Day I Left Work 
From The Day When I Left Work At work I gained many social relationships And strove to do the best job I could, Asking myself important questions …

Click here to write your own.

Paulus Vernier in Bangkok and Portland 
I'm a former criminal trial attorney, born in Oregon, now living in Bangkok, Thailand during the winter months. I live in Portland, Oregon during the …

The Falling 
Still trying, old man to tie words together like what? a string of pearls? Hardly. Hearts? I should have been so lucky. What then? Leaves? I like …

The Falling 
Still trying, old man to tie words together like what? a string of pearls? Hardly. Hearts? I should have been so lucky. What then? Leaves? I like …

Retired in Mexico 
We could not speak of dreams The future has already happened. My only ambition now is to die well. I could not make you a single promise. My open …

Walking In The Path Of Love 
Getting oxegin into my Brain Even while walking in the rain Is helpful to my happiness Walking keeps my muscles Stong And smiling with neighbours …

The Journey of LIfe (now at the age of 74) 
While I wear the stars upon my shirt Being able to leave the Earth Has caused some hurt Although I'm old What I'd like to do real soon Is make a journey …

The walk of My Life 
Getting Oxygen into my brain Even when walking in the rain Is helpful to my happiness Walking keeps my muscles strong And smiling with neighbours …

How Are You? 
Now a day's how are you is just a form are you willing to ride the verbal storm Back in the day of evolution how are you was tried and true it said …

How Are You? 
Now a day's how are you is just a form are you willing to ride the verbal storm Back in the day of evolution how are you was tried and true it said …

EXCERPT FROM : THE INNER VOICE OF MARK BIRROS  
With that invisibilty of age I can fly my life like a kite ! Uninvited and unseen, albescent, grey, you know what I mean, ( not the first flush of …

Ode to Baby Boomers - 1946-1964 
Boomers starting to mature Stock pile anti-age brochures Before we go back to the dust Write bucket list and living trust Once was active, young …

Cats and Dogs 
A Fairy Tale of Dogs and Cats (165 JPG) The Dog: “In my first years I was the only pet in the house. Then some kittens were brought on board. At …

the children tomorrow 
I see tomorrow in the eyes of the children Though the parents see only themselves The doctor, a lawyer screaming to be free And they eat what kills …

Me is We 
When I was young I was I and Me was me But as I I,ve aged I've come to see That me is we

Talking About Me? 
Talking about don"t you I feel alright about that Having faith and living and learning being myself my life just a breeze and summer sneeze. talking …

Just Passing Through 
JUST PASSING THROUGH Kids, come now, lets talk Don't attach your self to me I am just passing through I will care for you and teach you …

A BETTER VIEW 
Some times it is better to keep quiet sometimes it is better to nought sometimes it is better not to get caught with you mouth moving knowing it is …

A SMILE NEVER CHANGES 
A SMILE NEVER AGES The older you get the less you know. Just ask your kids they will say its so. Blood pressure up. Arches flat. Everything you …

Tribute to Annemarie 
Tribute to Annemarie by Jenny Hides The night was dark before …

A True Love Story 
A True Love Story Dedicated to my beloved late husband Bill, who went home to glory 8 March 2006 by Jenny Hides Long years ago I had a plan for you. …

The Bible is Viable 
The Bible is viable, a reliable source of news One can learn about the Gentiles, while studying about the Jews A concordance in the back helps decide …

To Alex as he sleeps 
I thought I loved you then When first looks became long, longing gazes And smiles became extended conversations I thought I loved you then. I thought …

Night Whispers 
The tree spreads its branches toward the night casting shadows on the weeping weeds, torn and cast about by time's careless scythe. Leaves caressed …

BLUER THAN RAIN 
My tears keep falling...flooding my soul with so much pain,darling since you closed your heart..my life's been Bluer than rain. …

Now You Slay Me Down To Sleep  
Now You Slay Me Down To Sleep... We once were friendly neighbors who said hello, goodbye, thank you, and please, Now we are attending funerals for our …

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The Vibration of Humanity 
The soundtrack of life, vibrating sound into matter, manifesting, creating all of life. Every living being playing their part in the symphony, Listen …

Robin & Bath 
ROBIN & BATH She stands in her bath. Her eyes blissful, half closed, la belle baigneuse impressioniste. Spreading her feathered skirts, she …

Mr 
Like kids hanging around a swimming hole On an endless summer afternoon, A group of souls Stood at the edge of eternity And dared each other To …

Receiving At His Wake 
Her eyes, (tutelary spirits) Guard drifting sky webs, Drink mist drops of memory. Her threaded face ebbs Inward; pale lips mime The speaking, her …

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