Beautiful Old Age
Beautiful Old Age
Original Text
D. H. Lawrence, Pansies: Poems (London: Martin Secker, 1929): 93-94. PR 6023 A93P3 1929 Robarts Library
1It ought to be lovely to be old
2to be full of the peace that comes of experience
3and wrinkled ripe fulfilment.
4The wrinkled smile of completeness that follows a life
5lived undaunted and unsoured with accepted lies.
6If people lived without accepting lies
8in their old age.
9Soothing, old people should be, like apples
10when one is tired of love.
11Fragrant like yellowing leaves, and dim with the soft
12stillness and satisfaction of autumn.
13And a girl should say:
14It must be wonderful to live and grow old.
15Look at my mother, how rich and still she is! --
16And a young man should think: By Jove
17my father has faced all weathers, but it's been a life! --
Notes
7] pippins: yellow apples. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1929
Publication Notes
see Roberts A47
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 2000.
Form