Weary Bones, Youthful Heart

Aging is a gift. A long and full life is precious as gold and silver. But a loved person turned to memory is painful to bear.

I saw a girl take her grandma to a boutique the other day

And I thought of taking you on a date with me

We would have lunch at one of those little delis

Maybe order a slice of chocolate cake too

Then I’d help you try on pink floral dresses

I would tell you how pretty you are,

Beautiful like a queen full of mirth

Even though you’d scoff and say you’re just an old wrinkled thing

You let yourself believe others see you as nothing more than elderly

But I know the soul that lives inside

The girl who loves to tease and make sly jokes

The teen who could curdle milk with the stories she holds

The woman who gave me my first nickname

You cuddled me with care when I had no memory of the world yet,

And over time you surrendered to age

Now you need help to rise and set

But despite the weak bones making you feel heavy,

I know you’re just a tired girl whose life was full

You were ready to go home,

But I wasn’t ready to let go

I thought grief was something instant

Like ripping a bandaid from skin

Really, it lies dormant and chooses moments to erupt

Like a bruise where the pain subsides but the mark stays

Maybe I can take you on a date one day

When we meet together again

I’ll call you gorgeous until you’re tired of me

{cover art: After a Bath by Mikuláš Galanda}