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Evolution

I can’t run fast or jump high anymore.
Mistakes I make I never made before.
Some maladies and aches don’t have a cure,
Alertness and reflexes are less sure.
My memory is challenged on most days,
It’s easier to get stuck in old ways.

But some emotions long a curse are gone,
So errors I kept making cease to spawn.
For years much change was needed and I knew it,
I now possess the wherewithal to do it.
Sweet joys of life today I’m more aware of
Allow avoiding conflict I despair of.

I’m very grateful to have reached this stage,
And would not want to be another age.

.

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The Left’s View of Responsibility

Some people are responsible
For what occurred before their birth,
While others aren’t accountable
For what they’re doing here on earth.

.

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Russel Winick recently started writing poetry at nearly age 65, after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.

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25 Responses

  2. Roy Eugene Peterson

    I readily identify with the first part of “Evolution,” but would love to go back in time without the mistakes. Perfect short synopsis of “The Left’s View of Responsibility!”

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thanks Roy. I’m sure we all wish that we knew back then what we know now.

      Reply
      • Russel Winick

        A universal truth, apparently. Thanks, Joshua.

  3. Cynthia Erlandson

    There’s quite a bit of wisdom here. Thank you, Russel!

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      If so, it’s all from mistakes. Much appreciated, Cynthia.

      Reply
  4. Paul Freeman

    I like the way you put forward the pros and cons of ageing and give such a positive title to the sonnet.

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Paul, I’m glad you liked it. Your comments are much appreciated. Thank you.

      Reply
  5. Cheryl Corey

    Every line of “Evolution” rings true, but as to your closing couplet — alas! if only I had today’s knowledge/wisdom when I was, shall we say, a bit younger!

    Reply
  6. Brian A Yapko

    This bittersweet poem really captures the ambivalence most of us feel as we age. Your tone here is quite personal and heartfelt. It’s quite wonderful. More please!

    Reply
  7. C.B. Anderson

    Congratulations on being able to feel grateful. I haven’t quite gotten to that stage yet. The other day at the airport, carrying two heavy bags, I nearly toppled over on an escalator, so I still live with feelings of dismay and despair.

    The second poem is a succinct and mordant comment on a condition, if nothing changes, we will just have to learn to live with. Don’t defund the police; build more prisons, as necessary.

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thank you Sir. Sorry about your mishap. But given that you tripped on stairs, you should strongly consider running for president, as that seems to be considered an impressive qualification nowadays.

      Reply
      • C.B. Anderson

        I’ll take that suggestion under advisement, but don’t start ordering the bumper stickers just yet.

  8. Sally Cook

    I pray every night to be more acceptable in God’s sight. I have made so many mistakes, there has to be a reason I’m still here ! Second poem says it all.

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thank you Sally. Maybe we should have a contest featuring poems about mistakes that we’ve made!

      Reply
  9. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Russel, what a wise eye you have and I love the way you translate your wisdom to poetry. I can relate to every line of ‘Evolution’. I must have reached that certain stage… and I wouldn’t want to go back to another age either. Your ‘responsibility’ poem says it all in four potent and punchy lines… I agree with every one of them. Great stuff! Thank you, Russel.

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thank you Susan, but here are two confessions. First, Evan assisted with the first poem, suggesting an excellent substitution for a dumb error by me. He has helped me other times too, and that needs to be recognized. Second, not all of my poetry ideas come solely from my own brain. At times I read political commentary, and see a poem in it. So it’s my poem, but not necessarily solely my idea. Just wanted truth to be told about that, too. Thanks for your ongoing support.

      Reply
  10. Patricia Allred

    Russell, an excellent poem on aging. Yours hits me because my birthday is in three days, and am way up in years. I am glad to know Evan was of assistance. Most of my friends and family are gone. I do not know how I made it this far.I just do not allow people to stand in my way. I just cannot be a people pleaser, here or anywhere. I am a fighter even though many have tried just that!
    And ever grateful for people like James Sale, who is a delightful beacon of hope for me. Gratitude is a huge factor in my life. Plus a supportive star of a daughter. I am aware of the classical forms. But have always wondered if e. e. cummings poetry amongst others would ever be accepted here, he is my favorite but hardly classical. His outrageous honesty has been a major force in my life. Sure, we do slow down as age goes up! I miss dancing as I broke my leg last year. So now, Russell, poetry is my form of dance.
    The dance of gratitude. Patricia.

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thanks Patricia. I’m glad that my poem was thought-provoking. Poetry helps heal many of us, it seems.

      Reply
  11. Michael Pietrack

    This couplet stuck with me:

    For years much change was needed and I knew it,
    I now possess the wherewithal to do it.

    Keep up the fine work!

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thank you Michael. Glad you liked that couplet. I’m happy with it as well.

      Reply

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