Born After 60

“BORN AFTER 60” Poem & Lyrics by: Rose X -- Lyrics: I learned how to live again With my own style. I fell in love with the child within me. At first, I couldn’t see beyond the very fear That I taught my own children. Then, I started to pretend How to look through the eyes of a child. Yes, a fresh start and it’s fun time all day long. Today, folks ask, “How you’re doing?” And I get to say, “Super.” I laugh, love, and sing from the heart. My heart is always the reason why Being born after 60 is a new space to explore. I learned how to live again With my own style I fell in love with the child within me. At first, I couldn’t see beyond the very fear That I taught my own children. Then, I started to pretend How to look through the eyes of a child. Yes, a fresh start and it’s fun time all day long. Today, folks ask, “How you’re doing?” And I get to say, “Super.” I laugh, love, and sing from the heart. My heart is always the reason why Being born after 60 is a new space to explore. -- This poem was created during Educational Alliance’s Poetry in Music workshop series with older New Yorkers in celebration of National Poetry Month. It was later transformed into a song using AI (Suno), with the original text set to music and the artist shaping the musical style to reflect the poem’s emotional tone. This process explored new creative tools and technologies. The piece was featured in the annual CelebratEArts festival, a month-long May exhibition honoring Older Americans Month. The festival celebrates creativity, expression, and connection through the arts. The 2026 theme, "The Power of Belonging," invited reflection on lived experience, the creative process, and the stories that connect us. Poetry is Music was facilitated by Xiomara A. Maldonado. The Artistic Director for CelebratEArts is Cory Michael Herman. Learn more about CelebratEArts at: 14streety.org/celebratearts #PoetryInMusic #MusicWithAI #CelebratEArts