we are created to hold our heads high
walking with dignity and purpose
standing erect back straight
striding with strength
all these gifts have been bestowed
by our creator
we have been divinely crafted in his image
we wake each day trying to acknowledge this gift
life and tasks
slowly beat us down
backs ache, legs throb, hips, knees grind
every movement is now effort
standing straight is now impossible
our shoulders no longer pulled back
but slant forward
our once flat stomachs proud and lean
now distended failing to hold the weight of the extension of bulk
saging and pulling away from us, center and sides
the superbly executed spinal bones now twisted and herniated, fused
can no longer bend and flex and flow as designed
many are weakened by the constant pain that torments
necks once as elegant as swans now sag and wrinkle
pulsating with sharp shooting pain if turned too quickly
hands once so beautiful and fluid
could create wonders magnificently
using tools and utensils of art and utility
now are shadows of their former selves
creped and gnarled
a constant reminder that 72 is not 22
eyes once sharp and keen and brilliant in their glow
have betrayed us in ways we could never imagined
can we trust what we see any longer?
ears ever alert to the sounds of life
equal parts danger and words of love are muffled and ringing
we have achieved a reality that what once was
no longer is
and can never be again
time races forward each tick one less moment
are we even aware?
to walk now is to walk in a sense of humility
we have been pressed, and compacted and weighed down
burdens of personal gain or loss
our own journey each step
like no other in the universe
our minds still focused and clear
our faith still strong and resilient
our belief now tested and proven
though our physical bodies no longer
trustworthy and feeling divine
yet our spirit abounds in glory
grace in daily activities
sets us apart
we as always have been g-ds masterpiece
so we remain true and strong
in the presence less tangible
but beyond importance
we thank our creator each day for our favor
again as personal as the snowflake
never two alike and never will be
with renewed grace we step forth into the light
we fill our lungs with the air
we breathe in the divine
willing to sharing our tales, searching for ears
eager to hear them
or in saddened honesty we seek to share
but find that many times there are no ears
ironically we are not the wise sages
we believe ourselves to be
lifes lessons we have lived
may not impress the young
long ago the value of the elderly was cherished
for the bounty it held
now we are shoved away to live among our own kind
apart from the rest of the world
sequestered and segregated communities
walled, locked and ignored
yet our grace does not shut down in anguish
but sends a light to all around us
we have achieved g-ds true humility
the very last treasure bestowed upon us
some may not accept this gift but wallow in loss
but the wise will realize that no matter what
we will always be g-d's children
taking each day as the precious reward it is
walking in humility and shining in grace
tony scarpa 10/28/2018
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