The Old Know

[brynmawr1]

The Old Know
 
The old know how to fold a map,
to use a rotary phone and
untangle the cord.
 
They know the serenity in writing a letter,
the joy of receiving the reply,
the anticipation in between. ... I like how between the second and third lines of this strophe there is a degree of anticipation here itself
 
The old know that walking,
face in a phone is dangerous
so, they don’t.
 
They know and(?) how days are short
when long in years.
 
The old know the gift of loving for a lifetime,
and the loneliness of one left behind.
 
The old know the only thing worse
than death,
is not living.

I think you could lose some of the 'they know's - suggestions above
The last strophe (in green) is cliched. The poem deserves a better ending.
Overall, a nice read

Thanks Busker.  Yeah, I was worried the repetition would annoy; guess I was right.  I was also worried the last part was too cliche but has a finality I liked.  These listing poems could go on forever.
best,
bryn

---

Hey Steve-
I think there are too many “the old know.”

I think I qualify, but still have a hard time folding maps. But I do love the feel and look of them. That said, the talking map lady on my phone is one of my best friends. She never gets pissed off if I miss a turn.

Plus, the rotary dial phones were a pain in the ass- I know how to use one, but I do not miss them.  I liked the sound they made but hurt my fingers.  I saw a funny video of two teenagers trying to figure out how to use one.

I also see folks older than me (which would mean officially elderly) wandering around with faces stuck in phones. Talking loud, too.

This one is a bit too sentimental for me, though I very much like the line “the loneliness of one left behind.”

One thing ‘the old know’ very well is that mirrors don’t lie.       This is a good one!

A bit of humor would go a long way in this one.

Hey Mark,

I hope you didn't find the poem patronizing.  I was thinking of writing a poem about folding a map cause it's a bitch, when it occurred to me that many younger people likely never have even tried or had to.  Which led me to think of other things that used to be so common and just aren't anymore.  None of the observations are meant to be truisms just common differences between young and old.  Thanks for reading and commenting, as always.
steve