In the elderly, two sets of values operate simultaneously: the desire to stay active and to maintain a sense of self-worth in the eyes of others, and the desire to withdraw from social commitments to a more leisurely, contemplative life.
Ram Dass, The Life Within
This being human is lights on
ever not wanting to dim
for the ways are dark
The winding paths are steep;
potholed, crumbled and rugged.
You’d better be on you wake
Listening, smiling gently,
judging wisely, vehemently
Watching, waiting for the sly foxes
Dripping with sweetened tongues
Masquerading allys yet vengeful foes.
This being human is lights on
Never missing in action
Juggling many attentions:
with you-mixed-in all wrong;
Leashed the baby, fed the puppy,
Binned the nappies, take a selfie,
Make a dash, eat on rush,
Catch the bus, miss a ride.
Exertions beckoning every time
Finish this, start on that,
and work on those,
Talk, walk and work!
Round the clock:
Your aim to beat the tick
The sloths grow weary…
This being human feels tiresome

Stellar, breathtaking!
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Thank you!
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You’re most welcome 😉
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I like the way you set up and examined these two opposing lifestyles,
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Thank you. It’s all human.
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An excellent take on the prompt! So many people keep their lights on these days, physically or mentally, always aware of pitfalls and dangers, especially those ‘sly foxes / Dripping with sweetened tongues’. I like the juxtaposition of possibilities in:
‘Make a dash, eat on rush,
Catch the bus, miss a ride’
and the pressure of time in:
‘Round the clock:
Your aim to beat the tick.
Yes, being human often feels tiresome.
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Thank you Kim. You followed my thoughts!
Am glad you stopped by, to find something interesting. 😊
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It is a bit of a treadmill at times, agreed. Carving out time to recharge batteries is key, if possible..
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Perfect.
Shouldn’t have life been spelled treadmill?
This question been playing on mind and I’ve wanted a perfect time to spew it out. Thank you!
And oh yeah. We mostly need breaks more than we give ourselves.
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I think I agree that of being human is toiling day out and day in.
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Sure indeed. Sort of a Sisyphus curse… Only that we are bound to profit.
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I absolutely love, love, love this! Yes, being human is “lights on ever not wanting to dim.” We are forever threatened by the existence of darkness. 💝💝
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Indeed Saana. Darkness is a big threat to most of us!
I appreciate you coming over; falling in love. ♥️
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I enjoyed your poem, remembering my too-busy years. I am now enjoying the second half of Ram Das’s quote. Smiles.
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Fantastic! Good tidings my friend.
Am still held up in the busy fields,
I admire those who’ve lived to the second phase.
Is it so peaceful? Would you trade?
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Biko, I like your opening quote. I also like how you use lights on here as a metaphor being human. Our bodies are like powerhouses generating electricity. Being busy keeps the battery charged, like an alternator charges a car battery when you run it.
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OhYes! and yes! . . . You always give a luminous side of words. Thank you!
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You are very welcome!
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😊
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Our humaness is certainly a circle game, one that begins each day, and the larger circle of our life — and it certainly is wearing on the soul, as well as the body. But as you know Kenyanito Biko — it’s all we got, so we slog on.
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Yes Rob, I agree with you very much – we slog on.
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Tiresome, yes! But what a ride!😊 Love the quote and photo as well.
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Yes, my friend… life at times get so hectic..
Thank you for a read.
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you write of the busy bustle, I write of the positives … life is a blend of both!
Nice to meet you
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Nice to meet you. Life has a blender! 😅
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no life IS a blender 🙂
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Haha.. how would it blend theories without one?
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they’re not theories they are the reality we live in … beauty, calm, doubt, busyness …
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Yeah. I agree my friend.
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The opening quote on your post here is so me! Soon to be 81, I can relate.
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Whoa.. past the 4th score… 🤗 yours is grace. Happy for you!
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Powerful words and very thought provoking post.
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Thank you so much!
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