they convinced me
i only had a few good years left
before i was replaced by a girl younger than me
as though men yield power with age
but women grow into irrelevance
they can keep their lies
for i have only gotten started
i feel as though i just left the womb
my twenties are the warm-up
for what i’m really about to do
wait till you see me in my thirties
now that will be a proper introduction
to the nasty, wild, woman in me.
how can i leave before the party’s started
rehearsals begin at forty
i ripen with age
i do not come with an expiration date
and now
for the main event
curtains up at fifty
let’s begin the show
~rupi kaur
“the sun and her flowers”
***I didn’t write this, but wish I had. It is written, however,
just the way the author wrote it in her book. This poem conveys
everything I feel. Women have come a long way in society,
but the subordinate label, as well as ramifications of aging,
continue to pop up now and then. The author has lived
a life difficult to even imagine, and her writing tugs at the
heart and kicks you in the gut simultaneously. I’m currently
reading this book (her second), and I also recommend her
first book, “Milk and Honey.”
Admittedly, when I enteredΒ my fifties, I experienced
a similar feeling of dread – “i only had a few good years left.”
I have since then shed that mind-set and replaced it with a
“let’s go” attitude. So, Women, whether you’re warming up,
planning your introduction, busy with rehearsals, or
eager for the main event…“You Go Girl!”
~Lauren Scott β€
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 
When I reached 50 I never felt better.. and when I reached 60. who would have thought I even felt better.. LOL..
Great share..
Have a Blessed Weekend Lauren xx
That’s great, Sue! Luckily, those feelings I had didn’t linger because now I feel great. I haven’t reached 60 yet, but I will someday in the next few years. π I absolutely loved this poem when I read it. Actually, my daughter (26) is reading the book and shared the poem with me. I’m glad you liked it, and I also wish you a wonderful weekend. π
β€ xxx
Love this! Heard a lot about Milk&Honey but never got around to it yet… Might look it up soon π
I’m glad you do, Iris. That’s how I felt when I first read it. I encourage you to read both books, and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Have a great weekend! π
You have a great weekend too! β€οΈ
Thanks! π
A very truthful post! Thanks.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Philip, and thanks for stopping by.
Reblogged this on purpleborough.
Thank you! I’m glad you found it worth sharing on your blog, Linda!
Exactly, no expiration date. Awesome post
I love that line, too, Shian, and thank you! Enjoy your weekend! π
You too
Interesting piece. Thanks, Lauren
Thanks, John! Have a good weekend!
You as well. Thank you
Yes, curtains up. We are blessed with options and opportunity at all stages of life nowadays.
Exactly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I’m glad you liked this poem, too!
I reblogged this. I hope you do Εot mind.
Of course, I don’t mind, Linda. Thanks so much! β€
“Women have come a long way in society, but the subordinate label, as well as ramifications of aging,
continue to pop up now and then”: I absolutely agree with you Lauren…. We are as old as we actually feel, IΒ΄d say… Attitude also defines age…. The poem is excellent and truly resonated with me… Have a great weekend π
Thanks so much for your wonderful comment, Aqui, and I’m happy you agreed with me. π I also agree with you in that we are only as old as we feel, and attitude is truly key. I’m so glad you liked this poem also. It is powerful for not only women, but I could argue that it would resonate with some men, as well. Have a peaceful Sunday. Hugs!
I never really think of women any differently or less capable.
Well, that’s wonderful to hear, Binky. Thank you!
This poem is excellent. I had to pop right over to Amazon and order it! Looking back, as each decade evolves it brings new energy, more comfort in who we are as women. When I turned 50, I thought of 50 as though it was the top of the mountain. It had been a long climb upward, difficult at times, but the downside of the mountain presented new promises. At sixty, my children were out of college and on their way to being successful in their fields. That takes a huge load off a person’s shoulders. I felt lighter, more energetic, and ready for new challenges. At seventy, I am strong, I am looking forward to a productive, lively seventies! I am not ready to sit in my rocking chair and watch the world go by.
Oh, that’s great that you bought her book, Michelle! I really hope you enjoy it. But, prepare yourself; it’s raw in many places. I love your descriptions of each decade. Once I got over the weird feeling of turning 50, I’ve been running with zest ever since. π I’m not 60 yet, and we still have one in college, so we’re not quite to the point of knowing our children are on their way. They’re doing great though, and we couldn’t be prouder. I’m happy to hear that you’re not ready for the rocking chair, and it doesn’t surprise me, just from getting to know you here in blogland. You exude too much energy and the desire for living to become sedentary. Enjoy your Sunday, my friend…
I decided to write a birthday villanelle (Γ‘ la Dylan Thomas) π but a couple of months have slipped by without me finishing it. Perhaps the worst thing about our later years is the way time has speeded up so much. As a child days were endless, twenties and even thirties were ample. But these days … Someone somewhere somehow is clipping mine like coins. (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clipping_coin&redirect=no)
I feel the same way, Ben, especially watching our children grow – it’s surreal. Everything seems to be going fast, even drivers! π
That author’s name identifies her with the part of the world I spent 20 happy years. Poetry in that part of the world is beautiful when translated into English and they tell me it is even more beautiful in the original language. It sounds from the structure that this poem was actually written in English though.
I have an English copy, but I honestly don’t know if it was translated, Ian. Her poetry is powerful though because of some horrific life experiences. It’s great that you have fond memories of your years there.
This is a fabulous way to look at the ripening of a woman’s identity over her lifespan! From rehearsals to the main event – yes, it’s quite the show π Great share and happy reading, Lauren xxoo
I’m glad you liked this, Christy! I thought it was too good and important not to share…Have a good evening, my friend xoxo
Inspired and enlightening, Lauren, for those who should not need such enlightening. Wonderful.
Thanks, Don, and I’m glad you liked this. I was in awe after reading it and had to share. You’re right – “inspiring and enlightening for those who should not need such enlightening.” Have a good day…
I do so agree with you, I wish I had been able to write a poem like “Timeless” by ~rupi kaur
It is so strong, filled with humour and love β€οΈ of life as well a sense of purpose and being.
thank you for your strong recommendation and explanation I will order this book. I am sure I will love it. Thank you.
Miriam
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Miriam, and I appreciate you visiting my little corner of the blogging world, too. It’s great to meet new people from friends we’ve made. π·π»πΌ
Thanks, Lauren, for sharing a poem with its robust sense of optimism and attitude. Human life spans are getting longer with developments in the medical field thus oneβs fiftees need to be treated as twenties with all the excitement visible on those horizons. Cheers….
Thanks for your feedback, Raj, and I’m sorry for the late reply. Sometimes, comments have a way of slipping through. I agree with all you said, and with our parents living into their nineties, hopefully, we still have several decades to go. π Hope all is well with you, and have a great week ahead!
Lovely poem Lauren even if you didnt write it. I will look into reading the book. Daughters are good at knowing what we will appreciate. I am enjoying the fact that at 55 I maybe more creaky but I feel I have a wealth of life experience to draw and create from, Im sure you do too.
Thanks, Alison, I’m glad you liked this poem, too. I hope you check out her book; it’s amazing, especially with all she’s lived through. I feel exactly the way you do at 57. Some days, I feel like I’m 25, but there are days when I feel like I’m 85. π Overall though, my health is good and I can’t complain. Hope your Monday is a positive start to your week, also!
Wonderful poem and thoughtful post! π
Thanks, Bette! Glad you enjoyed this. Youβd probably love her books too! β€οΈπ»