Reminiscences upon Turning 66

Personal poetics from my 60s…so far

This substack is an indulgence upon my turning 66 today! I start with the present – turning 66 – and then look back on my previous birthday celebrations – tracing back from 65 to 60 – through the medium of poetry and without any further commentary.

I was ambivalent about such reminiscences. After-all, what does it matter to anyone but me (and perhaps a few others) what I feel or have felt about celebrating any birthday of mine? But I am persevering regardless! For me, substack is primarily just another way to write about aspects from my own life experiences; so I have every right to publish what I like. (Smiling ruefully!)

However personal though my writings are, my hope (as with other substacks of mine) is that the content does have some significance for others who may read it.  May this substack, personal though it is, stimulate and foster memory and meaning of some kind for you as you make time to reflect on birthday celebrations of your own.

Here we go!

Ponderous and expectant at 66

66

The mid-span of my 60s is now gone,
Now, as looming spectre and great sparks of light,
I sense three score and ten approaching strong,
A visceral tang, and momentary fright,
As that fast dawning day appears in sight,
I have this gift of extra pause, before I move on.
 
In my remembrances, so far, the 60s speak much of good,
Mixed too with many a-tussle and a-twist, for sure,
Uninvited, but thrust down has been this Covid-craze for food,
And, drawn into its oft monstrous, messy allure,
My harried faith has known much testing; I needed to endure,
And all along, I felt it too, the roller-coaster influences on my mood.
 
On turning 65, looking back, I find promised beauty and miracles of joy,
And, as true, Spirit and Nature have these graciously fulfilled,
Life has gifted much splendour, so much to en-joy,
Celebrations have many hours blessed, and I’ve had new ground tilled,
Alas! Just on the cusp of stepping into 66, I’m stilled,
Another, longer pause I need, before too hasty, onward ploy.
 
And so, presented with this gift at 66, both sincere and surreal,
I feel again the heavy-lightness and bitter-sweet of life,
What will the coming, unknown years reveal?
Will more be full of peace, and less of strife?
More healing of the wounds, and far less scythe?
More to nourish and to see, and less to crush and to conceal?
 
I receive with gratitude what may be the table spread before me,
I will be slave to no one, except to God who would have me soar free! 

© Roger Arendse 20240222
 	

Beauty and joy at 65

65

Sixty-five years on,
Celebrations of Beauty,
Miracles of Joy.

© Roger Arendse 20230222

Haiku
A Japanese poetry form. It is essentially written in 3 lines which consists of a 5.7.5 syllable ratio. Haiku’s use just a few words to describe and capture the moment.

The Haiku (65) is inspired by my readings in Jean Haner’s (2013) Your Hidden Symmetry and my Journal #29 entry capturing it’s insights for me on 15 January 2023. 

Stepping out at 64

64

I hear the Voice, ‘I am the Door,’
I gaze;
Horizon all ablaze,
Presence real, and ever sure.
 
Three score and four;
I pause;
Despite the human flaws,
I step out through the Door.
 
My journey stretches on,
Less dusty years;
I lay aside my dormant fears,
Faith focused on the rising dawn.

Life, the unfolding Mystery,
Ever curious;
Through challenges so nefarious,
I choose to trust Divinity.
 
© Roger Arendse 20220222

Renewed dedication at 63

63

Turning 63,
I feel like a tree,

Rooted and grounded, 
Nourished and founded,

Through generations of years,
Crafted in watery joys and tears;

Treasure trunks of grace,
Caressed by sentience face,

Branches touching light,
Dancing on winds of delight;

Storms have buffeted,
Rough edges gusseted,

Still reaching forth,
Compassed on true north;

Vagaries of climes,
Holy and haunting times,

Resilience fed through the viral,
Humanity caught up in the spiral;

I hear the voice of Mother Earth,
Giving space for new birth,

I bow in tender adoration,
Renew my dedication;

Three score and three,
Continued growth into Mystery,

I sway in tune to Nature’s song,
Trust Divinity’s nurture amidst the throng.

© Roger Arendse - 20210222

Into unfolding Universal mystery at 62

62

I may pen you down,
Eye-ball you,
Smile and flirt with you,
Caress you,
Be wowed by you,
Dance before you!

I may number-play you,
Serenade you,
Shed tears of joy over you,
Praise you,
Appreciate you,
Prayerfully honour you!

These, though, are but paltry gestures,
For your essence is embodied here,
In this one life, my life,
Traversed through the years,
Touched by so many joys and sorrows,
The gifts of time within eternity!

Deep from within your soul,
You declare your true majesty,
Of grace upon grace poured out,
Of love and companionship,
Of embraces within circles of community,
Of priceless promises, hope and faith!


And so, I bathe in your presence,
Laugh out loud!
Celebrate your curves,
You speak most today of one human journey,
And an open gateway 
Into unfolding Universal mystery!

© Roger Arendse - 20200222

Lessons and learnings of life at 61

61 

Another year...
Is not what I presume, assume or merely resume, 
It's this moment, the gift of pause, poise and presence, 
Reawakening to the all of who I am right now, and 
Bathing unashamedly and extravagantly in the sheer joy of being, and the
Breath that sustains and fills this day, 
This hour, 
This moment;

I'm ever grateful for the immeasurable mystery, miracle and magnificent grace of this Now, 
That which I cannot and dare not usurp, grasp or cling too,
This is the doorway to open, humble, blessed and bold 
Celebration! 


The flashes of memory are ever there,
Of events, experiences and human exchanges; and the
Indelible imprints - life-markers and deep relationships along this journey of life,
All contributors in some way to my fullness, and my becoming,
The intermingling of light and shadow,
Effervescent exuberance and disappointing despair;
I embrace them all, in this another year;
Inspired by the diverse array of overall abundance and the splendour;

Lessons and learnings of life, everyone a gift,
Each one tasted, tested or testing,
Held out to me with compassionate, inventive and inviting hands,
The weavings of divine, and human and sentient interconnections,
Partners in the magical shaping of my inner essential being,
In Life’s ongoing delicate, deft and delightful dance;

Another year!

© Roger Arendse -20190222

Celebrating LIFE at 60

While I did not pen a specific poem when turning 60, I chose “LIFE is here” from among my earlier poems to commemorate this special milestone.

LIFE is here!

LIFE is here!
In the infinity of Now,
The pulsating heart,
The effortless breath,
The sensual sounds all around,
Nature’s panorama of splendour,
The ever flowing canvas of delights!

LIFE is here!
In the serenity of solitude,
The stirrings of love,
The surety of faith,
The glowing light of hope,
Spirit’s majesty and mystery,
The ever flowing music of grace!

LIFE is here!
In the power of Now,
The invitations of goodness,
The invocations of beauty,
The impulses of truth,
Divinity’s universe of possibility,
The ever flowing dance of joy!

LIFE, my life, is here!

©Roger Arendse 20160821

Reflection and Journalling Exercise

What memories do you have of your own birthday celebrations?

Why do these memories have special significance for you?

Is there any memory you’d want to share? Please do so in the comments section below

Thank you for indulging me! Feel free to share with others.

Blessings!