#SOLSC24
Loosely Inspired by “ On Turning Ten” by Billy Collins in Linda Rief’s Quickwrite Handbook Today is the celebration of the day I was born Like a deflated balloon The whole idea of it makes me feel Like my youth is fading Something worse than gaining ten pounds in a week Or noticing lines form across your brow You tell me that I have so much to look forward to Grandchildren who I’ll teach everything I know Traveling to Japan and Australia in retirement years ahead Time for yoga, Peloton, Pickleball, reading and writing You tell me it’s too early to be looking back Yet, I remember the years past When I fell in love, raised my girls, began to teach The tennis I played, the morning runs before the sun came up When I was somebody's daughter It’s only yesterday I use to believe That my energy was limitless That things would never change Yet, another birthday has arrived And the only constant is me
3 Comments
3/10/2022 05:20:49 am
Oh, Billy Collins would be smiling wide right now if he were to read this! What a masterful—and poignant—copy-change you have done with one of my favorites of his. (I have an entire anecdote I could share about seeing him read this poem and afterwards...) I am just a bit farther down the birthday road than you, and I totally understand everything you've said here so eloquently. Love this!
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Terje
3/10/2022 05:57:11 am
Happy Birthday! Your version of the poem that inspired you speaks to me. I'll save it as a mentor text and I might use when my birthday approaches.
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Eva KaplanSea glass, found on beaches, is naturally worn and smooth by tide and time,. As a wife, mother, Bubbe, teacher, reader & life-long learner, and of course, sea glass collector, I aspire to use writing to help me understand myself and the world around me. Archives
March 2024
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