Random Acts of Poetry

Dear Me - I see you

I can see you (me) now...
Your confusion and rage,
the curmudgeon in me (you)
enhanced in advanced age.
Holding friends and family close
though they beg you ,
to take your hands off their throats
but there’s no rescue.
Every day is a bad one
you’d share with friends
(if you had one).

I can see you then
pinching those dimes,
treating all callers like
telemarketers at dinnertime.
You don’t let the little things
get you down.
You stomp on the little people,
turn smiles into frowns.
I won’t say you were wrong,
I’m old, yet not wise like an owl,
but permanent wrinkles
will come from that scowl.
People may avoid you
but they’ll never forget you.
Those who annoy you
they never will get you.
Keep doing you
you’ll be remembered,
even if only
for being bad tempered.


PROMPT: INTROSPECTION IN TWO PARTS

Write a 9-15 line poem to your older self from your younger self about the kind of person you did or didn't want to be when you grew up.

THEN

Write an 11-20 line poem response from your older self to your younger self about the challenges you faced that shaped who you are today.
Did you meet your younger self's expectations?

There are no further restrictions. Form and wording are free choice.