I participated in an Ageless Authors book signing event at the Dallas Half-Price Books flagship store, today. All the authors, of prose and poetry were over 65 and had begun their writing late in life. They were an encouraging group, believing that everyone has stories to tell, and should give writing a try…even if just sharing historical family tales that can be handed down to future generations.
For those interested, the agelessauthors.com contest…for anyone 65 or older…is receiving submissions until August 15, 2016 for essays, short stories, poetry and line drawings. Winners will be published in this year’s anthology.
Jane
CONFESSIONS
Natalie H. Rogers, Age 65+
It is so embarrassing
to be old
and yearning
for some physical love
My lord
it’s almost creepy
Almost creepy?
is it really?
is it so unnatural to be Old?
like over 60
over 70
even 80
and to yearn and dream
and yearn and dream
and hope to swoon in someone’s arms
a high sensual dizzying kiss
I have a friend who is my age
she says that she makes love three times a week
Well she is married
that is different
Different
different
what is different
you know what I mean!
You are asking me to be just like my neutered cat
who sits there in the window
looking at the passing pigeons
stretching up occasionally on hind legs
against the glass
vainly reaching for a bird
then sinking into resignation
dreaming of that one impossible catch
Well yes
I chastise myself
why can’t you have the grace of that poor cat
and be content
Who me, content?
Yes you, with your good health and lack of serious decay
excuse me but I work on it
Oh I work very hard
Well fine
if how you look is so essential
just leave the romance to the children
It is so perverse to hear you sigh
in that deep unrequited way you have
of never speaking
only breathing out
your private passions
never sharing with a soul
about the young and younger men
you fantasize about
Younger, younger than your dentist
or the mailman
or the famous pianist who approached you at that Mozart evening
Younger men than your contemporaries
age appropriate
they do not fit my fantasy
my fantasy
my fantasy
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh