Wise One

I sit here now, Skin crinkled like old parchment Hair white as cotton candy clouds Hands small and cold, But warm at the same time. A face of ambiguous emotion Deep lines running left to right, Each wrinkle for each memory. Parentheses around the mouth That turn upwards and downwards, Creases at the brows That bow in and slant up. Crinkles across the eyes These eyes that open with delight, Squeeze shut in terror, And release raindrops of sorrow. These vivacious eyes full of Laughter, Despair, Regret. These eyes that have seen all— Life, Death, Exuberance and celebration, Grief and suffering, Tears of elation and pain. If I could just rewind and relive, Every moment and every memory, Trust me, I would. If I could warn you of life’s perils, Stray you away from danger, Shelter you from this unpredictable world, I would. If I could teach you everything I know, Transpose my wisdom to you, Bring you to the peak of enlightenment, I would. But I can’t. Because these are your memories to create, Your path to choose, Your life to enlighten.