Love yourself
And only then
Will the flies
Find their end
For in that love
In the mirror
Reflects the light
Of the bearer
So love your soul/sole
From the bottom up
Drink from
Your youthful cup
And give a greeting
Ignore the flies
The swatting only
Makes you cry
Love your face
And all its art
Drawn on you
The artists spark
hold what is
without disguise
Set the trap
Kill the flies.
This year, I will turn fifty. Everything in my life has turned upside down in the past year and a half, and I have felt like I aged 20 years during this journey of grief. But I have found an excellent elixir that I believe is the true fountain of youth…it is love. Love from friends who I laugh with and cry with, who I read books with and go to concerts with,…family, who love me without conditions, who move me in and make me meals, draw baths, who leave me notes and hold my pain in their arms, - Love from my sweet Lucy, who is the Thelma to my Louise, as we hit the road. She looks out the window with her long giraffe neck, barking viciously at every dog we pass, to my utmost embarrassment; then, at night, she cuddles against my body, her head upon the pillow next to me. Love from strangers who smile and say hello as we pass each other on a path, love in the music I listen to, the fields I drive by, the sun, the moon, and the stars. Love is all we need…the most essential love is love for yourself. Aging isn’t easy for women. I am finding more and more that I care less and less. Every line is the gift of time. I welcome them with open arms. I will remain silly and dramatic…sensitive and soulful…high spirited and low spirited….just give me love damn it…and I will be just fine. xo