I stop in my tracks as I suddenly realize
Age catching up to me- the involuntary squinting of eyes
That signals worsening farsightedness
I just change the distance, I confess
To hold off a little longer before
I can read without corrective lenses no more..
I glance in the mirror under a harsh light
The wrinkles around my eyes give me fright
Did they just double overnight, or they’ve been
Sneaking up on me for a while, unseen?
Then there are the greying roots that seem to appear
With greater density, in vengeance, I fear
Each time I try to deny their existence
By coloring them a shade of dark brown intense
The aches and pains that multiply every day
The exhaustion following a night spent partying away
The dreaded slip of tongue that makes me worry
About being an early sign of loss of memory..
*
I am growing old, at times I am terrified
I remind myself to reframe aging as a matter of pride
The experiences that my wrinkles, weak eyes and silvering hair hide
Are priceless- and I may have many more years on my side!
Passion...unbridled 