Aging brings so much angst…
Knowing it would happen is no help
as the petals of life begin to fade.
I count… she loves me she loves me not
as our expectations rise and fall
like a Carrowinds coaster
with its ups and downs and loop-t-loops.
Knowing the ride is about over is no help.
Coasting into the exit I exhale
trying to maintain meaning and purpose
knowing I only get one ride.
As friends slowly exit ahead of me
I mourn their passing and grieve my losses.
Aging makes me question my existence,
my future, my truth, and my purpose.
Reality is harsh as challenges increase
Loneliness sets in as other coasters roll on by
filled with excitement and wonder.
I cheer them on with a sad heart…
Knowing they too will someday be here.
While the ride was exhilarating
it seems all too short.
Sadly, I only get one ticket to ride.
***
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Roth Poetry 
If you think of all of the adventures in your life, you’ll realize you had thousands of tickets to ride. You just don’t have unlimited ones!!!
LikeLiked by 5 people
That’s a great way to look at it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is a roller coaster ride…. Appreciation for it grows as the end approaches…. Sadness, gratitude, waves of emotion mimic the highs and lows of the ride.
If I wait in line, can I go again?
LikeLiked by 2 people
If you figure it out let me know! :>) Thank you for your comment. A mixed bag for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed I will let you know! (But I think that answers may be in the other side… I’m not sure that I’ll be published from there….?)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha… I think you are right! :>)
LikeLike
👼 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life is indeed a roller-coaster ride Dwight, and your summary of our ageing process is both bitter and sweet, .. as our jourey rolls on …
“Reality is harsh as challenges increase”
LikeLiked by 3 people
So far so good… Hope it continues that way to the end. Thank you my friend, I know you have had your share of challenges as you have aged. Not a fun way to go sometimes. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome Dwight .. now we’re olderer , every new is our challenge …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is one day at a time these days!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your analogy and roller coaster metaphor of life Dwight!
So sorry about the continued losses. So many adjustments we have to continue to make as we face our next ride. You have had a beautiful one from what I can see. 💕❤️💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Cindy. Yes, adjustments and change are most difficult. I am glad you enjoyed this one. Yes, I have had a really good ride so far!
LikeLike
There is a song called “If We Were Vampires” by Jason Isbell, the 400 Unit and his wife Amanda Shires. It is the saddest song ever. They sing to each other all we have is about 40 years and then one of us will be alone. Jason is about 43-44 and the realist of deals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It can be sad when we look ahead sometimes, and sometimes not even 40 or 20. We always live on the edge it seems. Thank you Ray for your thoughts. I will check out the song.
LikeLike
A beautifully sad song, Ray. So very well done. Loved the acoustic sound with it.
LikeLike
The more interesting and fun the ride is, the more we want to revisit it. It’s great enough that we got to be a part of this crazy experience. But as you wrote it all seems too short no matter how hard you try to enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for your thoughts. Yes too short it seems. But as you say it was quite a thrill ride at times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dwight – this one touches me deeply. It’s beautiful and sad.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you so much David! I am glad it connected with you.
Dwight
LikeLike
One for us all at a certain age, Dwight
LikeLiked by 2 people
Seems that way! Thanks Derrick
LikeLiked by 1 person
so bittersweet and beautiful
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much Beth!
LikeLike
Lovely painting, Dwight. Your eloquent poem chronicles a sad reality…we all come to the end of the ride! ❤ Seize the day! I know you do! ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Cheryl, I try to do that as much as possible. Sometimes it hits me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
eloquent art … think I’d prefer the aging process and losses rather than the alternative 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I agree. Some coasters jump the track way to early! Thank you, Kate, for sharing your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Dwight! I feel the poem. We are heading that way too, maybe a little behind you on the ride, so we are beginning to think through these things and experiences losses too. I hope that your ride still takes through joys and pleasure; and is not too bumpy at the finish. Take care Morag 🙋♀️🌹
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much Morag! I hope I still have another loop or two before my exit! i am glad this one connected with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! 👏👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know whereof you speak.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sometimes my thought go inward!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your perspectives and wisdom are always beautifully woven in your words. I love your painting pairing too Dwight. 🙏🏻🤍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Karal. I am glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Dwight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the more reason to make the most of each and every moment. Beautiful piece and gorgeous painting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Eugi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome, Dwight!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dwight, poignantly written – struck me personally right in my heart as my health deteriorates and that setting sun grows closer. Thank you for a wonderfully intuitive piece. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🎟
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Ami! I am so glad it connected with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome! 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful write and art, Dwight. Every ride comes to an end, best to enjoy it as long as it lasts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Punam. You are right… make the most of each day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so poignant, so appropriate for today, as my friend, Bernice died yesterday. The rose petals are a perfect metaphor… one day at a time they drop. But first, as I watch my tulip bouquet, they droop!
I will repost this on my blog today. It’s what I would have written if I had your skill and insight!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Jan. I was feeling very introspective with all that has happened here in the past few weeks. I am glad you connected with my words. Thank you for your kind affirmation and for reposting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A moving reminder to make the most of each day. 🌞 Thank for sharing your beautiful and insightful reflection, Dwight. Life is too short, tis true, but artists have the gift of living forever through their words, paintings, songs, and the many other ways that creatives, like you, express themselves. ✨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely. It is hard to find meaning and purpose as we age even if we are doing meaningful and purposeful things. Hopefully, we can find the sweetness in these years that are not filled with stress and deadlines like the past. Lord, help us to savor the days You have given us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we find each day is precious. We seem to understand that more as we age. Thank you Valerie.
LikeLike
Sometimes one ticket is all you need.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I don’t think I would want to go another round.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As they say, “Life is a journey, not a destination. “ We will all meet the same end one day, but the people that we loved and lost , the different milestones we reached , the tears we shed and the smiles we shared, all make our rides here in this world exhilaratingly unique. That life is fleeting makes it even more precious. Enjoy the ride.
Btw, lovely poem and painting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! It has been a grand ride with a few bumps and dips thrown into the mix. I appreciate your kind words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes , that is reality of life. 🙏
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am afraid so!
LikeLike
🙏 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Only One Ticket to Ride – Nelsapy
Pingback: Only One Ticket to Ride – Site Title