A Poem About the Journey of Growing Old Together

A heartfelt reflection on aging, love, and life’s fleeting seasons.

Alas, we once were young and blithe and strong, But now, alas, dear wife, we're growing old!

Alas, we once were young and blithe and strong, But now, alas, dear wife, we're growing old!

Short Poems & Quotes | Poems | Short Love Poems | I Love You More Poems | A Poem About the Journey of Growing Old Together

Updated January 14, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer

Aging is a journey we all experience, and the poem Yes, We Are Growing Old by Howard Carleton Tripp beautifully captures the reflections that come with it. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt expressions, the poet reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of focusing on what truly matters—faith, love, and good deeds. While there is a sense of nostalgia for youth, the poem encourages us to embrace the present with gratitude and purpose. It’s a touching reminder to treasure the moments we have and let our love grow even stronger with time.

Yes, We Are Growing Old

Poet: Howard Carleton Tripp

Yes, we are growing old!
The shadows of the evening time are here!
The afternoon of life shall disappear
So swiftly that at best 'twill only seem
Much like the ghostly phantoms of a dream;
''Tis time for us to make our peace with God,
To be less frugal of our hoarded gold,
For soon we'll sleep beneath the silent sod.
For we, alas, dear wife, are growing old!

Yes, we are growing old!
No panacea of mankind can bring
Us back to life's fair promises of spring!
Nor let into our years the olden blaze
That gladdened life's too brief, bright summer days,
When in our prime we hastened fast along
Ere we had felt the autumn's frost and cold;
Alas, we once were young and blithe and strong,
But now, alas, dear wife, we're growing old!

Yes, we are growing old!
The harvest days of life are all too brief!
Ah, may Old Time in binding up life's sheaf.
Bind up good thoughts and deeds, and then destroy
The weeds and tares that grew up to annoy
Us as we journeyed swiftly down the slope
Unto the very sands of shining gold!
Oh, may we cling unto life's sweetest hope!
Alas, alas, dear wife, we're growing old!

Yes, we are growing old!
Oh, Father Time, but stay thy speed and bring
Us back once more to life's feir days of spring!
Oh, let us wander in its summer meads,
Filling life full of grand acts and good deeds!
Oh, let the autumn's harvest be complete
With precious things more valuable than gold;
Oh, let our love be yet more fond and sweet,
For we, alas, alas, are growing old!

Key Messages from this poem:

Life Moves Quickly
The poem reminds us how fast time passes, comparing life to changing seasons. It reflects on how fleeting our life journey is, with a sense of bittersweet awareness that the vibrant days of youth are behind us.

Focus on What Matters
There's a gentle nudge to make peace with God and focus on meaningful things—kindness, love, and good deeds—rather than clinging to material wealth. It’s a heartfelt reminder to live with purpose as we grow older.

A Longing for Youth and Love
Even as the poet acknowledges the reality of aging, there’s a tender hope to relive the joys of youth while making love and kindness even stronger. The message is one of cherishing the time we have and making it count.

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Oh, let our love be yet more fond and sweet, For we, alas, alas, are growing old!

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