An Unexpected Benefit of Getting Older
With many hard learned lessons behind us
and a closer view
of the finite future ahead,
our desire to satisfy
external standards of success
becomes suddenly
less vital,
which is convenient because
we’ve also become increasingly invisible
to the young.
And once the ego
has thrown its last temper tantrum
because it knows its gig is up,
its like shedding a thousand layers
to expose,
at last,
what is essential.
We realize then
that what is essential
comes just as well
slowly, naturally
as when,
full of ambition and blind determination,
we used to force things.
Maybe better.
Definitely better.
Because we are,
in a sense,
coming home.
By Maria Brady-Smith
Photo by Mike Smith
Happy Sunday morning! A good poem is both personal and universal. This poem is definitely true for me but I am not sure how universal it is. What do you think?
Yeah!!!!! great one. thanks so much.
Thanks, Susan. Here is to being invisible!!!! Gives us a lot more freedom.
Yes, this is what’s happening as we age, if we allow it and don’t keep trying to force life. Not only the content of your poem, but also the gentleness of your style is so comforting and peaceful to read. Thanks
Thank you, Robin. That means a lot to me.