Tuesday, October 31, 2023

A SLIPPING-DOWN LIFE

 


We spend the first half of our life gathering
and striving: each move into larger and larger homes,
filling them with things we spend
the last half of our life giving away.

Each move, in our later years, is into
smaller and smaller spaces. We down-size,
until we are down to our very last treasures:
the memorabilia of our lives.

Will these small rooms full of my wolves
and books and comforts be my last, or
will there be one more move into
a nursing home? One never knows.

But while I am here, still somewhat mobile,
I know enough to be grateful, every day,
for the good fortune, many blessings,
and the many small homes
that have come my way.


for Susan's prompt this Wednesday at What"s Going On? Moving Homes.

13 comments:

  1. Sherry, your home may be small, but it looks comfortable and welcoming. And you have a wonderful bookcase filled with books! You are right about possessions. There is a time to gather...and a time to give away. (Too bad we didn't think about not needing 'stuff' as we were gathering.)

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  2. Hi Sherry! Long time. There is wealth in the sheer lived-in ness of that room :)

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  3. The poem is like your room Sherry, tidy, simple and comfortable; and uttering truth. Oh dear! I've become Anonymous. Grrr Sumana

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  4. I agree with Sumana, the poem is so clear in exposing first half gathering, second half slipping away--or not really. It actually, tho you don't need this word, becomes "refined" until only the most precious is left. A Beauty of a home, a beauty of a poem.

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  5. Your slipping-down life resonated with me, Sherry, especially the ‘gathering and striving’ in the first half of our lives – and then giving most of it away as we grow older. I love that your current home is ‘full of my wolves and books and comforts’.

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  6. Yes, I agree with all the others and more - this 'slipping down' seems more a distilling of what is ultimately necessary and precious and it is that which you surround yourself - as you mentioned elsewhere you carry your home with you - the most fabulous sense of being that one can achieve. Bravo as always - I'd love to be able to sit in the room you have pictured.

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  7. I think where we are, it is our home. Each with it's own character, to blend with our own. Life changes everyday, we never really know where we will be, but where ever it is, there you will be!!

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  8. Sherry, I am not anonymous, I am annell. Somethings I Think About-annell

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  9. I look again at your home, there is your desk, your chair, your sofa, and a place for your books, it is perfect....nothing more needed! Annell again

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  10. Your poem is "real" I love that you still have amazing treasures. I love the wolf picture and what looks like a shield on the wall. It looks comfy and that is what matters. It radiates with beauty.

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  11. Sherry,
    I have a lovely homely feeling after reading about your home, surrounded by treasures, books photos and wolves!
    It is your place where your poetic inspiration is formed and shared.
    I have tried to downsize books and little treasures too, but birthdays and Christmas gifts, seem to lovingly replenish any empty spaces!

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  12. Cozy room....fulfilling all your needs...i know you count your blessings !....Rall

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