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Poetry Sunday: On Aging by Maya Angelou

August 9 marks the beginning of another year in my life. My family celebrated on Saturday. It was a quiet celebration - the best kind. Maya Angelou would agree. 

On Aging

by Maya Angelou

When you see me sitting quietly,

Like a sack left on the shelf,

Don’t think I need your chattering.

I’m listening to myself.

Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me!

Hold! Stop your sympathy!

Understanding if you got it,

Otherwise I’ll do without it!

When my bones are stiff and aching,

And my feet won’t climb the stair,

I will only ask one favor:

Don’t bring me no rocking chair.

When you see me walking, stumbling,

Don’t study and get it wrong.

‘Cause tired don’t mean lazy

And every goodbye ain’t gone.

I’m the same person I was back then,

A little less hair, a little less chin,

A lot less lungs and much less wind.

But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in.
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Comments

  1. jabblogAugust 10, 2025 at 3:59 AM

    Oh, how much we can all relate to this!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HarveeAugust 10, 2025 at 7:48 AM

    Great poem. First time I've read it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. thecuecardAugust 10, 2025 at 9:07 AM

    Yay. I might be more tired & more often but I'm the same as I was back then. I like it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. thecuecardAugust 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM

    Ps. Happy belated Birthday Dorothy! May you find much happiness in your garden, books & family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. David M. Gascoigne,August 10, 2025 at 5:32 PM

    Happy birthday. I am glad that you were able to share it with Maya Angelou. Pretty good company if you ask me!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lark August 11, 2025 at 10:05 AM

    What a great poem! And happy birthday. :D (It was my birthday last week, too. On the 7th.)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Captivated ReaderAugust 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM

    Belated happy birthday, Dorothy!! I am a fan of Maya Angelou's poetry and books. I've had the honor of seeing her perform live twice in the past. She was phenomenal at reciting her poetry, sharing stories, singing, and so on!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzAugust 13, 2025 at 6:13 AM

    Oh my goodness! A new-to-me poem that is headed straight for my personal favorites list. Thank you for sharing this with us, Dorothy, and happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousAugust 14, 2025 at 9:20 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  10. ElysiaAugust 14, 2025 at 9:22 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  11. JudeeAugust 14, 2025 at 7:56 PM

    She has always been one of my favorites. Happy Birthday

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sarah @ All The Book Blog Names Are TakenAugust 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM

    Happiest of happy birthdays, Dorothy!

    ReplyDelete

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