GROWING

All I knew
aging, avoiding mirrors,
believing I am seventeen;
knowing I am fifty-five.
Ah, surprises - examine,
look - how far travels,
growing has taken me.

No more the marriage
proposals of my teens,
teenties, thirtys.
Regrets, not realy.
I suppose I should
have traveled the same
road as my peers.

Afraid of my shadow,
shy of what folks
might think.

Now, this is what I know:
fashioning,graceful entrances
into the last part
of my surprisingly
gifted life.

(Thanks Joni Mitchell - SMILE)