….. if we are one of the lucky ones, that is.
We get older.
When did this natural reality –
with wrinkles in the mix,
become a source of shame?
I admit it,
I struggle with the mirror.
We, me and the mirror, have a daily dialogue which
is too personal to share…
For this reason,
I try to keep my glasses off
when near a reflective surface,
like a mirror or window,
that is how silly of a woman I can be.
I am angry that I was taught
to be self-conscious, evaluative
on a daily basis.
Why do we do this to women, to girls?
I marvel how men could care less.
Their freedom is awesome
and also more affordable.
And as a spiritual woman,
I am embarrassed I still struggle with all this.
I know I go deeper than all that.
So, I am learning to embrace my wrinkles,
and all the rest of it –
as a woman in my fifties.
This is just another example of
how I must get out of my own way
in order to be
the wonderful creation
I was meant to be –
so I can be free, too.
Therefore,
give me laughter,
give me love,
give me purpose,
and humility, too.
Bless me with health.
That is all I really need.
I will take care of myself
as best I can,
and let go of the rest
with grace.
Life is way too short
and I know too well
where this all heads.
But I am not there yet.
My wrinkles tell a story…
the story of me.
Amen to that.
Copyright@ Cynthia Cady Stanton, 2018
Becoming and Beholding 