TATI’s & TONY’s DEAD POET TOUR // Sixty to Sixteen by Victor James Daley

If I were young as you, Sixteen,
And you were old as I,
I would not be as I have been,
You would not be so shy,
We should not watch with careless mien
The golden days go by,
If I were young as you, Sixteen,
And you were old as I.

The years of youth are yours, Sixteen;
Such years of old had I,
But time has set his seal between
Dark eyebrow and dark eye.
Sere grow the leaves that once were green,
The song turns to a sigh:
Ah! very young are you, Sixteen,
And very old am I.

Red bloom-times come and go, Sixteen,
With snow-soft feet, but I
Shall be no more as I have been
In times of bloom gone by;
For dimmer grows the pleasant scene
Beneath the pleasant sky;
The world is growing old, Sixteen,
The weary world and I.

Ah, would that once again, Sixteen,
A kissing mouth had I;
The days would gaily go, I ween,
Though death should stand anigh,
If springtime’s green were evergreen,
If Love would never die,
And I were young as you, Sixteen,
And you were old as I.

by VICTOR JAMES DALEY (1858-1905)
Public Domain Poetry

21 thoughts on “TATI’s & TONY’s DEAD POET TOUR // Sixty to Sixteen by Victor James Daley”

    • Hi, Tony. Well, after closing up the Monkey shop, I had a health issue that I’m still confronting, but knowing that things always could be immeasurably worse, I’d say that I’m doing quite well. I managed to self-publish a book which is currently flatlining on Amazon and other venues, but I’m hopeful it’ll catch on as “cli-fi” as well as “sci-fi” and find an audience. I must say I’m looking forward to re-engaging with your blog, which I always did enjoy very much! Best regards, Paul

      Liked by 1 person

    • I’m so glad you’re alive and (kind of) well, Paul! And I feel you on the self-publishing front. Tati and I have found it hard to drum up interest in our efforts so far but it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying, that’s for sure. So happy to have you back with us! 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Tony, ain’t this the story most all of us grew up with? It just takes a few years of experience for it to dawn on you. Hey, we can’t hurry these things!
    Ah, to be foolishly young and dumb,
    A life regrettably wasted yet to come.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Unbolt your Comment!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.