Poem in Six Uneven Parts

[Judy Thompson]

Riley At 56 
 
   
 the blue in his eyes is beginning to fade
 he looks sad and puzzled most of the time

 

 his next girlfriend will be 

the next woman he meets
 and his last one he barely remembers

 he calls himself old:  "it got here so fast,"
 he says, with a rueful look

 

as he tips the waitress a bit too much
and heads on out to the car

 

 where he keeps his bottle under the seat
 for emergencies, he says, winking,

 and trying to smile.

[Judy Thompson]

If you understand this now you won't turn into Riley later on, Angela.   Whatever happens to him is always someone else's fault,  and he has never learned to take responsiblity for any of it.   This is why he always looks puzzled and a bit sad. 

He has no idea that what has happened was his doing. 

 

[Angela]

Being Riley is my worst fear, after becoming homeless.

[Judy Thompson]

definitely sorrow,  and a  certain amount of pathos.  this is, after all, a wasted life and a pitiful future.  The sorrow is, he knows it even though  he won't face it.   thanks, Gita.

[Gita]

Wow 56 is still young. Too young to be sad and puzzled.

This poem is tinged with sorrow, in my opinion.

Well done.

[Judy Thompson]

@Ron.; many of you used to be him, but I doubt if you were ever this bad.  Trust me.  

@everyone else;  thank you,  this is what I wanted to know,  how well it comes across.

I appreciate the input.

[Jeanette Cheezum]

It's a great poem.

[Diana E. Backhouse]

I echo Ron in saying that this paints a very clear picture, Judy.

[Ron. Lavalette]

Riley! Very clearly drawn.

Many of us used to be him.

[Stephen Torelli]

Ah, a young man getting old and a difficult transition that is. And a thought provoking poem.