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Dreams of Youth

Dreams of Youth

Skeletal remnants of stately columns
Stand a-tilt on the rotting floor
While blackly staring window sockets
Look out over the toothless door

The balding roof still has strands
Of shingles clinging to it's pate
As the arthritic and aging old mansion
Dreams of when it stood young and straight

— Rett, Aug 10, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Southern Texas, USA

Favorite Poets: Dickenson, Longfellow

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Critiques

Barbara Writes

Barbara Writes

17 years 10 months ago

Rett this is awesom

Smiles:) Barbara Have arthritis the doctors says in bones, that I already new from the chiro... that hurt me more than she helped your poem expresses well what I wish, but know shall never be. five stars
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

Thank you Barbara

You must have Osteoarthritis. I have rheumatoid arthritis. I feel for you my friend. When I started going to this Rheumatolgist (Whom I found by accident) 8 years ago, I had to have help getting up when I sat down. I have to go for anywhere from two to twenty-two shots every two weeks, but 90% of the time I can function fairly normally and 3% normally, rest of the time isn't so good. I wish you well and I am glad you enjoyed this one. We have a common ground. I dream too. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
Barbara Writes

Barbara Writes

17 years 10 months ago

Yeah that would be it I think

Smiles:) Barbara He didn't say which one though, but some of the medicines they prescribe is for osteoporosis, premenopause, bone density loss etc. if i took all the medicine these four doctor i see now, i will have a thirty count bag of medicine. looking for some natural ways as i never had to take medicines before now reaction in the past was really bad. loss my sight with medicine from a dentist for a root canal. immediately stop taking and it got better, but not back to normal. prescribe something more milder that work well for pain. some bad experiences when i did take. wish you well and more better days.
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

Barbara

Something you might try, carefully watching to make sure you get no reactions, is an over the counter suppliment that seems to help a lot of people. It is called (MSM with Glucousaimine and Chondroitin). It goes under various brand names, but your druggist can help you with finding it. Good luck my friend. (friendly hug) Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
themoonman

themoonman

17 years 10 months ago

Rett...

I can see your "house" in the poem and love the way it can be read to be about our own bone hurting selves... Richard
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

Thanks Richard

I was afraid no one would catch the comparisons to people's aging process which can be from mild to wild. I should not have worried and most people here are extremely bright and quick. You included. Shoor, even JessElf is damned smart, Hard as it is to believe it. *LOL* teasing. Anyway, thank you so much for reading, seeing and understanding. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
weirdelf

weirdelf

17 years 10 months ago

I am Peter Pan

but still ache sometimes. This poem is painfullly honest. I guess I am in denial. By the way, when I compared you to the Jesuit priest in the novel "The Sparrow" I don't know what you look like, he is very visually ugly, I was only comparing you to his Texan, caring Christinsanity. cheers, Jess
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

Thanks Jess

For reading. Hmmm, visually ugly...Well, I'm not exactly a Mel Gibson type, but I don't look like Ron Pearlman either. I am rather normal if there is any such thing. *LOL* I appreciate it Jess. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
weirdelf

weirdelf

17 years 10 months ago

well you can see what I look like

Not too bad for an old drug addled commie hippy. Remember I compared you to the Jesuit in "The Sparrow" not for your looks but for your intelligent compassion. Aussies never ever give flattery. We call flattery "pissing in your pocket" cheers, Jess
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

We call it

"Kissing your ass". or arse if you insist. *LOL* Yeah, I know what you are saying. I am going to try to find a half way decent recent picture of this old broken down hippie so I can post it soon. I am going to buy that book as soon as I have a few bucks to spare. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
Mark

Mark

17 years 10 months ago

I wondered how I might do that

and even tried a few times .... I wouldn't mind being a house around here. They look old and weathered but are built to withstand a blast and most are beautiful inside :~) Mark
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

I know what you mean Mark

Down here there is so many building codes for Hurricane survival it is unbelievable what you have to do to have a new home built, while the old homes built in the 1800's and 19oo's are still standing. *LOL* People didn't just put houses together back then. They crafted them. I appreciate the read and comment. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
yenti

yenti

17 years 10 months ago

Dreams of Youth

As we grow old is it not true that our memory fades a bit, but why the hell are we plagued by remembering that we had a fully functional serviceable body at one time. Also the great maker in the sky sort of reminds us as soon as we awake to find our socks are to near the ground, which to feel around only brings the pain, Must not go on, my soul does not hurt, and thats the main thing, very exact piece and good to read,Yours Ian.T
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

Thank you Ian

Yeah, our feet are too near the ground and our arms too high in the air, but like you, my soul doesn't hurt. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

Thank you Rahbar

I had the idea looking at an old swaybacked shack near where I live and just compared it to the way I feel at times. Sad to see something that once was beautiful (not me, I'm not beautiful) fall into ruin. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
Linda Moses

Linda Moses

17 years 10 months ago

Rett

Dreams of when it stood young and straignt. Only yesterday. Where does the time go
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

I have pondered that question

myself. I think someone stole it because surely it couldn't have passed by so fast. Thank you Linda. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
Janice Pearce

Janice Pearce

17 years 10 months ago

Dreams Of Youth

Rett, I agree with Ian here that our memory fades, but we are plagued by remembering that we once had a fully functioning body at one time, I could so relate to this. Nice piece Rett!
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

Thank you Janice

A poet never knows what poem will strike a chord with most people's feeling and it seems I did with this one. When I finished it, there were no edits to it. I felt deep down it would stand as is. I just didn't know it would stand this well. Thank you very much. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
Mark

Mark

17 years 10 months ago

Laughing

at that beach quote LOOOL Mark
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

*LOL*

Glad you liked my quote. Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
O

orgami

17 years 10 months ago

Komatsu surgery

so many buildings in Canada are removed with the great shovels the giant buckets that smash down old tired relics from the eighteen late hundreds what suprises me more are here in this city One can still find old places not much touched since the early part of the latter century rounded and intricate none of this green preservative four by fours and wide assed aluminum siding hammered over details custom windows filling in once elaborate frames I used to visit old houses falling in stand in them take photos this is a good poem
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

Your replies

are almost as good as the craftsmanship on those old homes my friend Thank you! Respctfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.
infinite_dwarf

infinite_dwarf

17 years 10 months ago

Rett

I see aging as a fine wine - you get better as the years pass. I love the comparison you did with the old house and yourself. I'm not near this stage, yet, but Jon and I definitely notice a change between now and when we were teenagers. I cringe at the thought of an all-nighter, and still can't understand how I took 3 classes and worked a full time with o/t job,sometimes pulling double shifts when I was 18 and 19. There are a few more cracks and pops when we get up, now, and there have been quite a few times where I'll walk into a room and forget why I went there in the first place. Don't beat yourself up, Rett, you're still a good lookin' chap. ~Jess ---------------------------------------------------- "Just 'cause you have one, doesn't mean you need to be one....."
Rett

Rett

17 years 10 months ago

*LOL* I know what crackles and pops are

Sounds like a shooting range around my house between the wife and me. I have to admit I have earns every ache and pain, ever gray hair. My daughter told me I should color my beard. I said no, I earned these gray hairs and I'll be damned if I cover them. A smart alec kid told me the other day that I probably didn't remember partying. I looked at him and said. Son, I invented it and still party. I just do it quiter and get done sooner. *L* Thanks Jess. An old fine wine, yeah, that suits me. *G* Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby!" Rett 2008.