The laws of my life have mellowed with age
They no longer carry the same weight.
I don’t feel as if I must make a date
Or do a thing if I don’t feel like I must.
I more go along with the way that I feel
Rather than what someone may think about me.
I’m not as “rushed about” in my world as it is
For there is no rule in my day that says
I must get it all done to please another.
I have let go of many a regulatory directive
That no longer serves my purpose.
Each individual can choose their own creed
Of how to govern their lawful or lawless lives.
Poetry Potluck: Rules, Regulations and Laws
Bodhirose's Blog 
Life: Between the lines
/ January 23, 2011I am all for freedom 🙂
Happy potluck!!! http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Me too, Lynnaima! Thanks for your lovely visit. I enjoyed your poem very much today. 🙂 Happy Potluck!
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marousia
/ January 23, 2011You are in a wonderful place – thank you for sharing – I enjoyed reading 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011I appreciate your visit and comment today, Marousia–thank you.
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Jingle
/ January 23, 2011enjoy your freedom of expression here.
cheers.
A++
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Thank you, Jingle. You are so very generous with those grades! 🙂
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Jamie Dedes, all rights reserved
/ January 23, 2011With maturity, freedom. Fine poem and I love the way you chose to illustrate it, Gayle. That’s perfect and also makes for a smile.
Happy Potluck! Thanks for all your visits and comments on my site. I always look forward to visits here and visits from you.
Jamie
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011I like that part of getting older.
Happy Potluck to you too, Jamie! I look forward to your visits too and so appreciate every one of them. Thank you.
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Jamie Dedes, all rights reserved
/ January 25, 2011😀
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apollorose
/ January 24, 2011“Aging forces us to decide what is important in life.”
Thomas Moore
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011I would have to agree–it’s a very freeing feeling.
Thank you for your visit, Apollorose.
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liv2write2day
/ January 24, 2011Amen!
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Yes, amen!! xoxo
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ogungbesan20
/ January 24, 2011WHO CAN DENY SUCH, SUCH IS THE OPINION LIFE PRESENT US WITH. I LOVE THIS SO MUCH
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011So glad you enjoyed this. Thanks so much for your visit.
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Jessica
/ January 24, 2011I love the statement you make here and the use of the signs at the bottom. I guess we never grow up inside our heads!
http://jessicasjapes.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/dark-teen/
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011I’ve heard that too–that you never really age in your head. Pretty cool!
Thanks for your visit, Jessica and thanks for your link.
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Dakshi
/ January 24, 2011loved the poem as well as the picture of signs..
lovely…
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011So happy you liked this, Dakshi. Thanks for coming by.
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Marlee-I Mystic
/ January 24, 2011Well said. I pray we all reach a point in our lives where we follow only the laws of our heart.
Happy Potluck
Here’s mine
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Neutral Universe
/ January 24, 2011This is so brilliant. 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011So nice of you to say that–thank you so much.
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Thanks, Marlee. I agree with you–wouldn’t that be wonderful…
Happy Potluck to you! Always appreciate your visits and comments, Marlee.
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fiveloaf
/ January 24, 2011love it gayle.. i think you have read mine before..here’s my potluck for this week: http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/here-for-you/
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Thank you, Kris. Had not read yours before–I’m glad I got another chance because it’s beautiful. So welcoming and sweet..
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trisha
/ January 24, 2011life really becomes lot more pleasant when we mellow down. it was a really, really pleasant surprise to see so many posts by you at a go. thanks 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011I happened to check my statistics for my site and found that I had 107 posts and my next one was going to be 108. I wanted to write something meaningful for it so had to think a bit. It turned out to be “Universal Mother”. Thank you for wanting to read them! 🙂
I love my more mellow state. When you’re young you can be more excitable and anxious about things. Now things don’t bother me so much any longer.
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trisha
/ January 25, 2011very true, with this mellowness comes the real feeling of peace. true happiness follows it.
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Bodhirose
/ January 25, 2011I really enjoy that more peaceful feeling. True happiness can grow from that peace.
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Trisha
/ January 26, 2011full agreement. for true happiness that peace is very much required.
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trisha
/ February 2, 2011i think there is no lasting happiness without peace.
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Bodhirose
/ February 2, 2011I can’t imagine feeling un-peaceful and yet being happy. That wouldn’t quite work would it.
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Olivia
/ January 24, 2011Well said you Gayle Dear!
I too am leading my Life in this manner since almost a year now. It’s become so much better. It seems that I am alive indeed.
I don’t see the fun in pleasing others anyway. Anytime I had tried, it came as a major lesson. They would anyways sulk; so might as well leave them stuck in their own world!
Meanwhile, I wake up late, act lazy and pretend snob..
Smiles.. xxxx
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Thanks so very much, my friend. I’m so happy that you are residing in this more relaxed state. You can’t possibly please everyone and why knock yourself out trying. You are right. People have their own lives to figure out.
Good for you!
Love you…
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Lyn
/ January 24, 2011We hopefully do wise up..you certainly have! Very good reminder!
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011Thank you, Lyn. I appreciate your visit and kind words for me.
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tuffi kaffa
/ January 24, 2011reading your wonderful piece, I can feel inside of me your vast inner freedom… thanks for sharing this great piece!
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011I’m so glad you enjoyed this today and thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate that.
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Katherine
/ January 24, 2011Much wisdom here. Age does not always bestow this wisdom. You are blessed with a strong sense of self that others should aspire to.
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Bodhirose
/ January 24, 2011I so appreciate your generous comment for me. Thank you very much, Katherine.
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lizbethsgarden
/ January 24, 2011Very true and well-put. Thank you.
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Bodhirose
/ January 25, 2011Thank you for your visit and nice comment for me. I appreciate it, Morganna.
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Kavita
/ January 25, 2011Discipline is one thing, but restricting one’s style by laying down a zillion laws…naaaahh.. that doesn’t help much…
This is a lovely poem to read, AND to practice too … beautiful!!
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Bodhirose
/ January 25, 2011Thank you, Kavita–you think like I do! xoxo
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contemplativemoorings
/ January 26, 2011True rebellion is the quiet, self assured kind…or that’s what I take away from this 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 26, 2011I think you’re right. That real knowing of what you want or don’t want is very liberating–and quiet. 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Michael.
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Sumit Sarkar
/ January 26, 2011“Each individual can choose their own creed
Of how to govern their lawful or lawless lives.”
So true..
Fantastic work 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 26, 2011Thanks, Sumit–I so appreciate your visits. xoxo
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yelena m.
/ January 26, 2011That’s a beautiful poem, and a useful advice poetically expressed. Thank you, Gayle. 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 26, 2011So happy you came by and left a nice comment for me, Yelena. Thank you.
And you’re welcome. 🙂
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dragonkatet
/ January 27, 2011Thanks for the reminder about the good things about getting older! Sometimes, it’s hard not to miss the spontaneity and energy of youth, but you reminded me that there are some darned great things about age! Acceptance of oneself is one of the best ones, as your poem so eloquently points out. The picture was perfect, too. 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 28, 2011Yes, that’s the best–acceptance of yourself. I’m not as “tightly wound” as when I was younger. Hooray! 🙂
Thank you for such a great comment.
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The Reason You Come
/ January 28, 2011That is the best thing about getting older. You now have the audacity to tell the rules to take a hike! 😀
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Bodhirose
/ January 28, 2011After self-acceptance, the next best is telling those rules that no longer work for you to take a hike! Yes! 🙂
Thank you for your visit and comment today.
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