‘Once a Man, Twice a Child’ by Lucy Giardino Cortese The Society August 8, 2016 Humor, Poetry 1 Comment Old age recycles the body An infant once pink turns blue Nature recalls with rapid speed To complete life’s circle anew Fuzzy hairs on baldy top Steps and thoughts are staid Alpha becomes Omega When life’s mean trick is played Baby teeth are whisked away Clacking dentures enter in Waking all night to drink and pee The child is birthed again Drooling, burping, napping Gramps? Or babe in arms? Gates and door latch always locked Protect them from all harm Words all jumbled and garbled Meds and laxatives to endure Suckle Mama’s breast milk Guzzle strawberry Ensure Feed me. Bathe me. Nurse me. Nursery? Or Nursing Home? Confined by bed or playpen Never to be left alone Rock-a-bye baby, cradle and all Grandpa’s rocker might tumble and fall What’s the difference? Hard to tell Newborn Heaven? Or geezer Hell? Daddy pays all the bills Uncle Sam’s the Papa in the end Pampers protection for today Tomorrow? That….Depends! Lucy Giardiano Cortese is a freelance writer and owner of Lucy’s Lines ‘N Lyrics in Jacksonville, Florida. Her articles are published in Jacksonville Business Journal, AARP, Guideposts, Folio Weekly, Canticle, Grandparents Day, GRAND, Family Tree and St. Augustine Catholic magazines. Now retired, Lucy has been a teacher, district administrator, school principal and executive director in a career spanning four decades. A lifelong educator, community activist, mother and grandmother, Lucy lives her personal mission statement, “Each One, Teach One.” NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: One Response gm August 8, 2016 I’m a 32 year old man. When I go out in my city of Flushing Queens to walk down the street, I need to have my rubber ball to bounce or I get confused. Age is nothing but a number…. Seeking freedom…. man encumbers himself and ends up an infant in the army of society. Or the arms his loved ones. Is there any difference? Seeking liberation… man learns to forbear and enriches longevity and the moment. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
gm August 8, 2016 I’m a 32 year old man. When I go out in my city of Flushing Queens to walk down the street, I need to have my rubber ball to bounce or I get confused. Age is nothing but a number…. Seeking freedom…. man encumbers himself and ends up an infant in the army of society. Or the arms his loved ones. Is there any difference? Seeking liberation… man learns to forbear and enriches longevity and the moment. Reply