Jane Seskin is the author of the new poetry collection Older, Wiser, Shorter: The Truth and Humor of Life After 65. Her other books include Witness to Resilience. She is also a psychotherapist.
Q: Over how long a period did you write the poems in your new collection?
A: The poems in the book were written (and rewritten) over a period of five years.
Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?
A: I was in Martha's Vineyard where I was a writer-in-residence . Walking toward the library one morning I was playing with titles in my head. After discarding many ideas I began to think about who I was as I witnessed my days.
Before I left for the Vineyard I had a physical and learned I lost two inches in height! Whaat? The Shorter concept also suggested a poem: QUESTION (pg. 66).
So the OLDER is what I am. The WISER is what I’m striving toward. And the SHORTER is what it is. The subtitle: the Truth and Humor of Life After 65 is the investigation of this new period in life.
Q: The writer Mary Pipher said of the book, “I sat down to read one poem last night and I ended up reading half the book. I feel as though I know you. You have definitely captured the experience of aging.” What do you think of that description, and what do you think the collection says about aging?
A: I am delighted by the description. It tells me I’ve been accurate in my account. I say what is personal for me and universal for many over the age of 65. The poems describe the difficulties: memory loss, physical limitations and the joys of new connections, adventures, and being present in the role of aging advocate.
The collection talks about what we don’t talk about in regard to aging. I believe before we can accept ourselves, we need to acknowledge the actual experience of our years.
Q: How did you decide on the order in which the poems would appear in the book?
A: Oh my gosh, what a good question! Struggled with the order for a couple of weeks. Not satisfied. We’re talking 89 poems to arrange! Finally grouped them in terms of subject: Aging, Connection, Unexpectedly Physical, Actions, Memory, etc. Lined them up in those categories on my couch. and then did a chapter-by-chapter review of the poems. Whoa!
I remember being both terribly tired and very excited the evening of completion.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: A new book of poems that follows me as I live my aging life. I am open to new ideas and to better understand myself and my feelings as I grow older (that’s the psychotherapist in me)!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Yes, it would be great if we said hello to those we know and those we don’t in the course of doing our days. Lovely if we practiced kindness, toward ourselves and others. And to know and say out loud: I am grateful for my life.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
Jane is so insightful, it's like she sat in your head and/or read your diary. And she makes me laugh out loud often, which is like a massage for my innards.
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