on turning eighty I’m careening toward an unknown end dawn rolls into evening loops into daybreak again time is not fixed it stretches and shrinks Hawaiian vacation— lickety-split waiting for test results protracted how will it come, this looming demise accident?
"it's the getting in and out of here that's tough" Sigh, it is. The big exciting beginning of the journey, and the easing out at the end of it... I think about it all the time, how they parallel. A beautiful poem, Amitra... Happy birthday 💙
Hi, I went to your website (you're a fabulous artist!) and tried to message you from there, but got this back: "400 Bad Request"
I also got an MFA in my 50s--from Antioch University, in fiction and creative nonfiction. I graduated in 2003. So much fun! I didn't know I was a poet back then. That came blowing in like a hurricane at 70 and the learning curve has been like scrambling up a rock wall. I wouldn't change a moment of it!
I would love to be able to contribute to you Substack, but we're on a fixed income and a financial family of three. I'm sorry I cannot do that. But I'm a regular commenter and can support you that way.
Amrita!!!! Thank you so much for this lovely comment and for checking out my art ( and for the clue about the broken link on my website. Sigh. )
I honestly don't expect anyone to contribute $ to my Substack but thank you for the thought! Just knowing that some people care about what I have to share is acknowledgment enough.
I love that poetry came blowing in like a hurricane for you when you turned 70, a bit like writing has for me since I turned 70! I'm working on finishing the first draft of a book, which is why I haven't been painting over the past year. I don't have the creative bandwidth for both. Lovely to be in touch with you! 🩵
You, too, and thank you for understanding! Good look with your book. What is it? Fiction, Memoir, nonfiction, ??? I've written a memoir and three novels under the name Skye Blaine. For my poetry, which so often erupts out of my spiritual path, I decided to include the name given to me 53 years ago, Amrita.
Congrats on this milestone! If we could only remember all of the gifts we bestowed along the way. I, for one, am a truly fortunate recipient of yours. So glad our paths wove together on some many fronts.
Thank you, Stephen! On the front of my collection "strange grace--the ending season" there is a photograph I took of a very old apple tree I walk by every day, still bearing fruit, and still red in late January! I took the photo last year.
Thank you, Gilly! Luckily the test results were a past experience, and turned out fine! It's so strange--eighty is definitely a marker, and yet my spirit feels exactly the same as it always has. And this is the most explosive, highly creative time of my life. I'm so glad I get to be old!
"it's the getting in and out of here that's tough" Sigh, it is. The big exciting beginning of the journey, and the easing out at the end of it... I think about it all the time, how they parallel. A beautiful poem, Amitra... Happy birthday 💙
Hi, I went to your website (you're a fabulous artist!) and tried to message you from there, but got this back: "400 Bad Request"
I also got an MFA in my 50s--from Antioch University, in fiction and creative nonfiction. I graduated in 2003. So much fun! I didn't know I was a poet back then. That came blowing in like a hurricane at 70 and the learning curve has been like scrambling up a rock wall. I wouldn't change a moment of it!
I would love to be able to contribute to you Substack, but we're on a fixed income and a financial family of three. I'm sorry I cannot do that. But I'm a regular commenter and can support you that way.
with love,
Amrita (also, note now my name is spelled....)
Amrita!!!! Thank you so much for this lovely comment and for checking out my art ( and for the clue about the broken link on my website. Sigh. )
I honestly don't expect anyone to contribute $ to my Substack but thank you for the thought! Just knowing that some people care about what I have to share is acknowledgment enough.
I love that poetry came blowing in like a hurricane for you when you turned 70, a bit like writing has for me since I turned 70! I'm working on finishing the first draft of a book, which is why I haven't been painting over the past year. I don't have the creative bandwidth for both. Lovely to be in touch with you! 🩵
You, too, and thank you for understanding! Good look with your book. What is it? Fiction, Memoir, nonfiction, ??? I've written a memoir and three novels under the name Skye Blaine. For my poetry, which so often erupts out of my spiritual path, I decided to include the name given to me 53 years ago, Amrita.
Congrats on this milestone! If we could only remember all of the gifts we bestowed along the way. I, for one, am a truly fortunate recipient of yours. So glad our paths wove together on some many fronts.
"Even in old age, they still bear fruit, are green and fresh (Psalm 92)." As your poetry continues to portray. Happy 80th.
Thank you, Stephen! On the front of my collection "strange grace--the ending season" there is a photograph I took of a very old apple tree I walk by every day, still bearing fruit, and still red in late January! I took the photo last year.
A poet's life, a poem's life...are the last lines ever really the last lines? Grateful for you and all your "lines..."
Thank you, Daniel!
I understand though I’m younger but definitely seeing life from a different perspective. Hope your test results are ok
Thank you, Gilly! Luckily the test results were a past experience, and turned out fine! It's so strange--eighty is definitely a marker, and yet my spirit feels exactly the same as it always has. And this is the most explosive, highly creative time of my life. I'm so glad I get to be old!
80 blessings. may each day be filled with Love and gratitude for your taking birth and sharing your gifts.
A reflective time my beautiful friend. Falling upwards xx Happy birthday, the grateful heart can never die ♥️
I love "falling upwards." Than you for your kind words! And right, "the grateful heart can never die."
Bravo on 80! Here's to you and all your fine poems, including this one, with the poignant final lines.
Thanks! Shocking and daunting, but there you go. May I get at least another ten years of writing--that's my prayer.
Very happy 80th! May you continue gracefully through the next decade.