My once-straight neck stooping
Peering into the mirror
Who is that old woman I spy?
Vaguely familiar I think I do know her
Can it be she is I?
Yesterday friend gave appraisal of me
As one “who is dwelling within my own skin”.
High compliment I received it
And now contemplate it
My settling into vintage-aged years.
Living in harmony with effects of aging
Softens the blow of multiple nuisances
Brought on by years of my being younger.
My body must deal with the natural calamity
Of living a rich life – and then getting old.
A new tool I discover and add to my arsenal
A distinct sharpening of my sense of humor.
My larger belly is wonderful for laughing
Loud, unselfconscious guffaws at my foibles
As I relinquish a measure of dignity.
These days clothes are a problem
Models on the runway just aren’t my shape.
What’s in my closet spans years of styles
I can fashion new looks as things slowly wear out
Survival of the fittest dictates my wardrobe.
Today I live at the pace of now
Finding delight in the scenes out my window.
Accessing new worlds in my writing and reading
On my own magic carpet I travel afar.
I like the view from within my own skin.
poetrybyheart.me 
This is wonderful! I love it!
Thanks, Lynn. ❤
This is how I feel! so it was captured here in perfect words!
🙂
This is a wonderful poem of self-acceptance.
Thanks for your comment, Andrea. ❤
a distinct sharpening……..yes! once dignity is sloughed off hilarity rules
Right! I love your comment.
Great poem. So real and so funny. It’s so hard sometimes accepting those aging aspects of ourselves, as we are always our worst critics. There is a different beauty with age, but a beautiful spirit surpasses all! From what I’ve read thus far, you are simply stunning. 🙂
Your words warm me. Thanks. I like being funny – as in audacious, something I once was too uptight to be. Once in a college class on Art and Aesthetics I learned about “difficult beauty” – asymmetrical and such. I always liked the idea. Maybe that is what we attain in aging. ❤
Lol… “I am a difficult beauty, you just don’t understand the artistry.” Sounds like a bumper sticker or wall piece!
I like that. 🙂
Sharpen your wit, hone your tongue, and whittle your nib: life needs a painted poem, love this!
Thank you. Your comment is delightful. I had fun writing this.
PS. Painted, a true palette of colourful words
I love your picture of words as colors on a palette. l can envision it.
OH I do love this, as I age, so many things change, but to be comfortable in ones own flesh, that is a true gift to self. Peace, K
You sound like you have the gift. It is wonderful. ❤
I hope to turn into the butterfly of course, but if not, I’ll take a unicorn😊
Not too bad to be a unicorn.
love it, totally! good sense of humour and not many can claim to have lived enriched lives, most live with regret and I hope you keep loving life well into your golden years 🙂
Thanks, Heath. I don’t yet see an end to loving life. After deciding that my adventurous traveling days are over, within a month four new interesting things have popped up close to home. The wonderful saga of family continues and I keep on having new insights into old situations. It helps to have blog mates like you cheer me on. ❤
So true, so true. Oh how I can identify with this one. You are so right about embracing a sense of humor. Thank you.
I like your comment. I remember when the Reader’s Digest had a page on Laughter Is the Best Medicine. It still holds.
this suits me to a tee – loved it
Thanks, Paul.