Being 44 is Like 4:30 in the Afternoon
Being 44...
Being 44 is like 4:30 in the afternoon
it's not late, but it's not early, either
You had a fine start, a lot was achieved
but, now, a wave of drowsiness descends
Certainly, you're not ready to call it a day—
time to look up and take a little break
Cut up a fruit, maybe, some nuts for your heart
while you sip from a cup of mint tea and honey
A sigh escapes as you reflect upon
what to do with the remains of your day
You might decide to forego that nap
keep awake a little longer, go for a walk
Good idea to clear your head, while taking
in the splendor of the setting sun, soon
You can raise the blinds, before you head out
the softer light won't harm your furniture.
© Yahia Lababidi
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I like Being 44...
The imagery is more concrete to me...well a hazy concrete anyway. Maybe even quicksand, but it draws one in, maybe asks them to sit a while on the worn furniture and have their own cup of mint tea with honey as the sun sets and we wait for you to return from your evening walk.
I like that coupling, 'hazy concrete'. You know, I'm not accustomed to using such mundane details in my poetry, but it felt right for this one. Quicksand is a good way of putting it, in a poem about sands of time, slipping away... Glad the poem drew you in and invited you to have your own reflections about mortality.
Maybe the theme of "sands of time" hit my subconscious and that's what made me think of quicksand.
"You can raise the blinds, before you head out
the softer light won't harm your furniture." - things we don't consider at 20 or 30.... The harming of furniture, real and metaphorical.
Lovely, Yahia.
You said it, my friend, ‘real or metaphorical’ ... there’s a new set of considerations, as we age.
It’s still not evening, yet, just the old age of youth or the youth of old age. Time to think of Time 👀
Believe me being 45 is a lot like that too :)
Haha, I’m 45 in a few months, so I believe ya 😆
Hahahaa I did enjoy that !
You nailed the
“cut up some fruit and nut for the heart and the mint tea!” That’s me right there dude , gingermint tea and peppermint tea stacked up .
I seriously cried tears of joy-laughter reading . Every words you said I can relate to.
I am 36 and it’s hard for me to look in the mirror sometimes at my graying self! The funnies thing is when you see friends after a long time and they ask “ what happened to your hair?” Aging , what an ironic thing !
Hey, I'm really grateful for your warm response, @dmilliz! But, at 36, you're still young (graying hair be damned). Some of it, physicality, we can't entirely help (though we can, of course, push to keep in shape, etc...) But, much of it is in our hands and that's our mentality and attitude.
I take a lot of inspiration from the elders in my life (70s, 80s, 90s even!) who party and live life to the fullest. Wishing you what I wish myself as we travel down the river of Time: grace and fortitude, brother
_/|\_Yes indeed, it is mainly in our hands. The mentality and attitude is vital . Seeing people in their so called “ old age” that have that aura of vitality , it’s like you don’t think about their age because their energy and personality is so youthful . keeping in shape and eating right is a decipline I’m trying to make habbit.
Wishing for your fulfilled intentions and divine guidance .
Thanks always for insightful meditations!
✨🙏🏼💫
Lovely work @yahialababidi especially these lines
Thanks, for the affirmation. Been fussing over these lines, but trying to keep it simple, so that the idea of life as a single day remains in focus...
Always, interesting to learn which lines resonate 🙏🏼
Yeah me too even poetry is art which we can learn every second and everyday. I'm also a poet not the professional one but i do try to mix my thoughts and put it down on paper. 😉
Hah! "the softer light won't harm your furniture". The house as metaphor for body. Beautiful Yahia.
Of course, in your twenties... who care about the @#$%ing furniture! :D
Ah, you noticed, my friend! Yes, everything is a metaphor for something else, for everything else...
Thank you, for reading and singling out that line — I was going to make it the title of the poem or, maybe, just The Softer Light. Yes, I think that’s the way to go :)
This is captivating poem and i am in love with it, i look forward to see more of you, these because there is power in communication with the use of poems
Thank you, Debbey, for hearing. It came from the heart & I’m glad it reached yours. May be posting another, tomorrow. Be well 🙏🏼
Beautiful piece.
This aging malarkey isn't easy ~ 5.20pm here and the light is slightly fading/the chair a little threadbare!
xox
Good one, but how much more beautiful the Light, closer to sunset & more comfortable the chair broken in ❤️
And that,
my friend,
is why
you are
The Poet.
:)
xox
😊❤️
Another excellent one from u..! 🤗
being 44 is like packing up a whole lot of experience under ur belt. As well as spreading the truth and peace among the younger ones, which u r doing very well i suppose..!😊
keep this good work going, best wishes for u..! 🤗
~Greetings from Tennis Girl 🎾🎾
Still learning every day (if I’m lucky) and also forgetting along the way...
Thanks, for your kindness 🙏🏼
pleasure..!
stay blessed buddy..! 😇
I think once we reach our 40s, even though the upholstery on the furniture is a wee bit worn, we tend to enjoy the moments in life, like a nice warm cup of tea, as your eyes gaze and get lost on the morning dew that clings ever so gently as diamonds upon the crimson petals of a rose. Or the splendor of the sun peeking out of Nut's starry garments as if wanting to set the skies on fire ... before heading to sleep. I enjoyed your writing Yahia and watching you on video was nice too. Many blessings to you beautiful heart keep shining (^_^) and thank you for this delightful poem.
Yes, as we get broken in by life, we slow down a little, and are more sensitized/appreciative of the little things - as you lyrically describe :) Thank you, for your warm attention and encouragement. Blessing back your way, Blanca _/|_