Age Defies Consumption (and an Invitation to Join Me at #PoemCall)

I once said fuck but youth is beautiful.
I lamented my first wrinkles then —
I had cancer, I was tired, I felt set apart from the mean —
and everyone was beautiful who didn't look like they looked at death.
I wanted not to look at death.
Youth has become less sexy now, though:
it is too gormless.
It doesn't have all its fingerprints yet.
It hasn't been pulled and cut and touched into a message yet.

It isn't a message yet.

Youth is a new pencil,
not the older one with the teeth marks
and the carvings and the worn eraser to show something's been done,
not the one I keep because it tells me
the story of the previous year.

Age defies consumption,
preferring to germinate
inside where I am soft.

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I am taken with the idea of poetry written in response to other pieces of writing, which is why I wrote this poem in response to another one of mine from over five years ago.

I'd love it if you'd join in with me and write your own response poem to whatever piece of writing gets your creativity moving.

If you write your own, link to it in the comments and tell us what piece of writing you are responding to. Also, if you're so inclined, link to it on Twitter with the hashtag #PoemCall.

Now it's your turn!

Comments

[Teri H.]

What a lovely idea! I will try my darndest to participate.

[GS]

My response to the poem call:

http://gingersass.com/emotional-liposuction/

The pw is gingerbarrier... Since this poem touches upon a certain unfortunate occurrence in my life I figured it was better to somewhat protect it.

Thank you for the poetic inspiration. <3

[Shannon Bradley-Colleary]

Erin I love your work. I have a poetry aversion as frequently I don't understand it. What you've written speaks to my heart. A poem, a poem... hmmmm...

I gormlessly sought out the Botox needle
I've always loved pricks

[schmutzie]

Shannon, you just made me laugh right out loud.

[Laura McNaughton]

I just might do it! My favourite response poem is by the Canadian champion slam poet Ian Keteku. It is a fabo response to Beastie Boys' 'Fight for Your Right' as an address to a judge and jury. It's so awesome, but I can't find it on YouTube. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.

[Ruth]

Your poem is beautiful. I love, "It doesn't have all its fingerprints yet," and, "not the older one with the teeth marks
and the carvings and the worn eraser to show something's been done. . . " This really helps me conceptualize my own aging with more positivity. Thank you. Also, fun prompt (#PoemCall) . . . I'll see what I can do.

[Amanda]

I'm not ready for a poem, but I love thinking of how much I prefer a well worn pencil and that liking some of the things happening to me is ok. Great, even.