Old ladies

imagine they told us the truth about ageing
that lines bring beauty, paths and rivers laying out the maps of our lives - our joys,
our fears, our battles fought: and won
that the smooth radiance of youth, although delicious, is trumped by the deep
wisdom and patience of experience
that your heart grows with time, beating back stronger and more determined after
every painful break
that each birthday we celebrate in this life is a privilege many are not afforded, wear
that number with pride not shame or self-deprication
that the negative correlation between age and the number of fucks given brings the
most liberating sense of peace
that elders have such power, should they only be given space to grow and flourish
as trees rather than shrunk and ignored as weeds
perhaps they’re too scared to tell us the truth about ageing