An Oldman's Prayer Poem by Valsa George
An Oldman's Prayer
I am a paling star to be washed out
In the dazzling brightness of the arriving dawn
As I look back to the prime days
I see them flying away in a flurry
Like scraps of paper whirling in the gale
A dense fog crawls up into my eyes
The verdant vistas and smiling faces
Have discoloured like weather worn paintings
The violet shadows of red rocks
Form a dark cave within me
Nothing subsists in the dells n' hollows
Of my memory
I wilt under Age's burning breath
And wither under its deadly blight
While waiting at the Departure Lounge
I now have only one prayer;
Don't let me scorn and disdain the young
Whose sky is wider and dreams endless
Who walk with nimble feet and sure steps
To conquer the world that has left me a scrap!
The inevitability of old age and all it brings is vividly told in this powerful poem. I love the appreciation of the young in the lines: 'Whose sky is wider and dreams endless Who walk with nimble feet and sure steps'
Beautifyl photo of old man in deep concentration of prayer. // I can only hope I can pray with this old man's sincerity! He doesn't hide the fact old age is unwelcome, but he is trying to make the best of it. The whole first stanza is an evocation of aging through the mot vivid images. And I was roused to rebel against its sheer reality. I recall a cryptic message Beethoven wrote on the score of his last string quartet: Above a passage of notes he wrote MUST IT BE SO? And a few measures later, IT MUST BE SO. No one can fully explain Beethoven's message but I can apply it to this poem which expresses both the shock at aging and then a powerful surrender to its reality. What is needed is an acceptance, even an embrace of old age. And your poem takes me to the very verge of that acceptance of the inevitable.
Such a beautiful poem. The feelings from an old man's point of view are described with such depth n insight that the reader is awestruck. I love the imagery that is woven from silken threads of imagination. Marvelous to say the least.10
Don't let me scorn and disdain the young Whose sky is wider and dreams endless....what a generous, peace-loving, and lovable old man he is!
From a dark cave within me. Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
This poem is just another master-piece, from you, Valsa George. I'll say you're one of PM most gifted Poets. A prayer indeed, we all need prayer!
Thank you so much Clarence for your words of great appreciation! I feel humbled!
I am a paling star to be washed out In the dazzling brightness of the arriving dawn - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Don't let me scorn and disdain the young Whose sky is wider and dreams endless Who walk with nimble feet and sure steps That has conquered the world and left me a scrap- - - -Acceptance of age with humility and a prayer for the future generation- - Such a wonderful write, thanks for sharing.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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12/5/2025 11:38:23 PM # 1.0.0
Lovely poem! The gracefull acceptance of old age is what I pray and hope for just like the old man and send all my love and good wishes to young generations.