Morning Star vs Evening Star

Photo by kariobinja.

I realize that only a small set of people enjoy poetry (if you discount song lyrics).

And an even smaller set of people enjoy poetry about aging.

Nevertheless, as a retired English teacher now in midlife, I find myself thrilled when I find a poem that explores age-related themes.

I recently learned that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1887) wrote a fragment of a dramatic poem, featuring artist / inventor Michael Angelo.

Longfellow's unfinished manuscript was found in his desk after his death at age 75.

Michael Angelo, contains themes about aging, memory, legacy, and time--which all interest me a great deal now that I've hit midlife.

Here are a few lines from the section entitled "The Last Judgment":

Old Men Can't Jump, But They Can Score

Photo by Redtail Panther.

Last week I was walking the track at the YMCA. Below the track are two basketball courts.

Because it was lunchtime on a weekday, several people were playing pick-up basketball.

I enjoyed seeing if shirts or skins were shooting at each court as I briskly walked past the hoops.

They seemed to be working hard and having a good time.

After the lunch hour was over and the games concluded, most of the players left--presumably to return to their jobs.

However, three players stayed behind to practice shooting.  Two young adults and a midlife man.

Hats for Statues: An Elder Tale

Photo by Aaron Webb.

Once a month I retell a fairy tale featuring a mature person.

The main characters are often poor--highlighting the loss and hardships that can accompany late life.

Nevertheless, there's a silver lining in advanced age.

Hardships are often ameliorated by the main characters' hard-won knowledge, their development of virtuous character, and the gifts they give to the rising generation.

This post is part of a series on elder tales.  The main character in an elder tale is an older adult who is the hero or focus of the story. Often the conflict is resolved because of their hard-won wisdom instead of some magical intervention--even if that wisdom is symbolized by a fantastical event or object. 

The story I chose for this month comes from Japan. I found several versions of it online.

The Leisure Seeker: Book Review

Published 27 January 2009

Take a trip on Route 66 with John and Ella Robina.

Michael Zadoorian's 2009 novel introduces readers to a mature couple driving from Chicago to LA--against the advice of their adult children and their doctors.

Nevertheless, these two are determined to have the time of their lives--one last, big adventure.  Well, maybe it's Ella who has decided since John is living with Alzheimer's Disease.

Ella has her own challenges as someone battling cancer. Her thinking is clear, but she's weak and can't drive. John still remembers how to drive, but almost everything else is fading away.

In the evenings, Ella jogs his memory by showing him slides of family events from days gone by: birthday parties, family reunions and even road trips when the kids were smaller.

As with other novels depicting dementia, there are passages about the function and value of memory: