Wrinkles

These fingers have bent a million times

And this face has creased into thousands of expressions



The lines around my eyes arose from

Crying at sadness

Laughing with joy

Wincing at the unkindness of the world

And squinting through headaches and bright sunshine



This saggy chin has dipped down 

To connect with children

Pet cats and dogs

Look at my elderly parents

In their last place before they left this earth

And we parted for a while



These myopic eyes have seen 

Over twenty-three thousand suns

Give or take uncounted cloudy moments

And mother moon approximately twenty thousand times

Give or take those same clouds



They have travelled to wondrous places

See mountains and rivers

Fjords and statues

Monuments and famous buildings



They may be older and less blue

But they led me safely over red rocks

To the edge of canyons – one of them very grand

They have seen icebergs

Lemonade bottles cooling in snow

And wonderfully amazing people



These compromised ears have listened to the iconic bands

The greatest classics

The most beautiful meditation music

And enjoyed the middle of the road with its fine lyrics



They’ve heard children laugh

And kittens play

And puppies try their first bark (of many)

Water running over waterfalls

Birds singing in the trees

Buzzards beeping in the skies



They have heard a wind like an express train

Rattling the leaves as it passes

And one that tore the rooves from houses

The trees from the ground

And gifted neighbours with a random shed 

(Or bits of one)



This heart has loved – so very much

Been angry but quickly controlled that and healed

Hurt beyond belief at the loss of a loved one or pet

Dismayed at the unkindness of this world

Been awed by the beauty and bravery of humans

Screamed in pain at the wars

And celebrated the coming together of people at the Olympics

Where ‘opposing’ countries have always met in harmony

And their athletes have shown each other respect



This body has walked many miles

Exploring the many miracles of this beautiful planet

And the odd one thousand shops



These legs have climbed mountains

Walked alongside rivers

Tracked down into caves

And seen fireflies



These arms have held beautiful children

And watched them grow into amazing adults

That they had to learn to let go so that they could keep them in their life

And always safe in their heart



They’ve cuddled cats and dogs

Sometimes at the end of their lives

With such gratitude



These hands have written poetry to engage and support

Books to heal and inspire

Talks to lift and motivate

Eulogies to respect those we have lost



And shopping lists

Lots of shopping lists

Heartfelt get-well cards

And many congratulations



These knees have bent before the weight of life

And God

They have flexed to understand others

Plunged into the earth to nurture plants

And sometimes when I slipped into crisp white snow



This me has been here a few years now

Hoping that my husband still needs me

As first highlighted by the Beatles

But knowing at this age that I will be okay if he doesn’t

Because I’ve learned that I make myself okay

And he’s a beautiful bonus



I’m no longer exactly young

Although I feel it

Surprisingly, many older people will tell you 

That they don’t feel a day over thirty

That their youthfulness remains locked in their heart

Their joy in life has grown rather than diminished

Despite the tricky times

Because we overcame them 

And we are still here



That’s the thing about age

You learn to like and trust yourself

To see and respect your strength

And marvel at that younger self

Who thought they were unworthy and incapable

Yet learned, dug in, and got you here

You learn to admire that young person 

And truly know their capabilities and magic



You also understand that you are sufficient as you are

That you are a spark of the divine

Connected to all that is

A part of the great scheme of things

An important part

You were never unworthy only inexperienced

We oldies are still inexperienced

And ready to learn more 



Don’t become afraid of ageing because the media suggests it

Try to cover it with make up or blend it out with fillers

You will be your age no matter what

Make the best of what you have

That is natural and beautiful



Don’t pretend it isn’t happening

Revel in the freedom of the older and wiser

Who will do things they never dreamed of doing

And aren’t afraid to fail because they’re good at that

And even better at recovering and coming back dancing!



Age is a joy

A privilege

An opportunity to do, see, and experience so much

And far too many people don’t ever experience it

Pray that one day you have the kind of wrinkles 

Which tell a thousand stories in every line

And store so many precious memories





Deb Hawken

October 2021