Getting old

Ludy Bührs

this tree is full-grown
less flexible now
wrapped in rings of earlier life
that cut back its flowering
and slowly force to give up

forces defied
shaped by the past
readable in hardened layers
that support the tenderness inside
until they are finally weathered

the resistance in the present
the coping with
captured in wrinkle lines
sometimes very thick but also fine
where there was less fighting

knotty wood shows experience
widely branched in young years
even more versatile with age
where decisions were made
and tears have flowed

this tree has grown old
remained steadfast upright
didn't get tired of life
can still provide soft shades
and shelter to relax in

About this poem

This is my own translation of a poem I originally wrote in Dutch in 2007 in honor of elderly people sharing their rich experience with the younger

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Submitted by ludy_b on May 03, 2024

: 35 sec read
: 161 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	XXABX CXDCX XXXXB XDXXX XXAXX
Closest metre	Iambic trimeter
Characters	667
Words	116
Stanzas	5
Stanza Lengths	5, 5, 5, 5, 5

Full analysis for Getting old »

Ludy Bührs

· Amsterdam

The topics she writes about are very diverse, so are the poetry styles she applies. As a Dutch translator and poet, having lived in Cambodia's capital city Phnom Penh for 2.5 years, in 2008 she published "Op de ruïnes van een rijk" (On the Ruins of an Empire) ISBN 978-90-8834-483-1 with 60 poems based on her experiences there. In 2007 she received a Certificate of Accomplishment as one of The Best Poems and Poets of 2007 issued by poetry.com and the International Library of Poetry for her poem Choked Truth, her own translation of "Verstikte waarheid", one of the poems in the book. Born in 1956, she still works as an independent translator, translating from English into Dutch. more…

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6 Comments

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nelzealoursmotoe1
I like the metaphors used in description of the elderly ones.
How they are still able to be a safe haven despite being old.
This is good!
LikeReply 15 months ago
Ruthmahogany
Aging is indeed a beautiful gift, leaving wisdom in our souls.
LikeReply 16 months ago
alanswansea18
Beautiful I love nature.
LikeReply 18 months ago
Abbykesington
This is a lovely poem that speaks to the beauty and wisdom that comes with age. I love how you personified the tree with " wrinkle lines, sometimes very thick but alo fine."
LikeReply 18 months ago
GCTHOMAS
Ludy, thank you for this poem. I find it inspiring. I love the subject of life and aging - even more so now that it is happening to me lol.
LikeReply 29 months ago
Oceanloveisland
Beautiful, as always.
LikeReply 19 months ago
- ludy_b
  Thank you for the appreciation!
  LikeReply9 months ago

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"Getting old" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 21 Feb. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/186475/getting-old>.

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