Reece Burkaauthor

The poetic city: “Musings Under The Oaks: On Being 75”

Aug 03, 2020 • Creative Writing

The shadow of the poet, Reece Burka, musing under the oaks. (Photo provided by: Reece Burka)

Musings Under The Oaks: On Being 75

Even though I won’t be officially 75

for two more months,

I have been saying that

I am 75 since the day after

I turned 74.

For some reason the moment

I reach one birthday,

I start identifying

with the next.

And I’ve loved telling everyone

that I am 75 for almost

a year now.

It connotes gravitas and wisdom,

with a pinch of youth

still in the mix.

It’s an age where the sheer

accumulation of years

is an accomplishment

in and of itself.

With no need to prove oneself

or justify one’s existence

I can relax and let each day

come to me.

So I’d better make the most

of being 75 now because

when i actually turn 75

I will be 76 the next day.

And 75 seems so much

more appealing than 76.

Reece Burka

7/18/2020

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