AGE

ONE'S LAST QUARTER

As One grows closer

To the last quarter of One’s life

One becomes more and more invisible...

Overwhelmingly One’s worth is

Devalued as no one can see

One’s younger self inside

That forever thinks young...

All they see is One’s shuffling gait,

Wrinkled body

And hunched over shoulders...

As One grows closer

To the last quarter of One’s life...

Doctors routinely ask “How are you doing”

“Oh, a few aches and pains here and there”

“Well what do you expect for your age?”

If only they diagnosed the individual

Instead of  One’s age...

Then they comment “My aren’t we cute

Your hair  perfectly coifed

And your nails polished and eye shadow

Matching your blouse”...

No “We”  No “Cute”   Just me

What do they expect

One to just roll out of bed and go...

Diligently One’s younger self inside

Still takes care of One’s older self outside.

As One grows closer

To the last quarter of One’s life...

Young grocery store baggers

Rigorously insist carrying One’s bags... 

Holding them close to their chest saying

“They’re way too heavy for your age”...

And they talk oh so loudly

Assuming One’s deaf...

As One grows closer

To the last quarter of One’s life...

Hairdressers become scary keeping One away...

They like to give shorter cuts for One’s age

Shaving the back of One’s neck

As six precious inches falls to the floor...

As One grows closer

To the last quarter of One’s life...

One will wander through stores

Searching or just window shopping...

Store clerks condescendingly ask, “Are you lost”

Instead of politely asking “Can I help you?”...

As One grows closer

To the last quarter of  One’s life...

One often hears silent responses

And sees questioning faces

As One’s never recognized

With a younger self inside

Who still has a lot to offer

To others and the world...

As One grows closer

To the last quarter of One’s life...

One become quieter on the outside

As One’s younger self inside brims

Over with ideas, opinions and goals not

Spoken because they won’t be

Recognized nor accepted...

As One grows closer

To the last quarter of One’s life...

One becomes totally invisible...

~  Patsy Ann Carter-Taylor ©2017