When I Am Old

Will I have the rictus grin
Of the demented woman?
I imagine she saw echoes
Of someone she knew long ago.
Looking in the mirror,
Wondering who the crone could be,
As I am only ten years old today!
Looking forward to the birthday party,
All pink streamers and clouds of frosting.
Vaguely, I hear this man, he calls me Mom,
And I know for a fact this can't be right,
For I am only fifteen today!
I hope that Sammy down the street
Will stop by and join the party.
And suddenly, I am not sure what happened,
But there is Jane, passing by.
Why did she give me such a patient smile,
I felt a little foolish waving, expectant,
Now it is all gone.
I have come out of the restaurant with
My good son Joe and his lovely wife,
Helped into the car,
They put the wheelchair in the trunk,
And will take me home.

Language

I would speak the language of the stars,
Softly, with no accent, as I did as a child.
Communicating with the crushed spring grasses,
Spread upon the earth, in harmony.
Being part of the larger whole,
Effortless, assuming my place in the sacred dance.

Hawk

It sits on the post,
Way at the top of the power pole,
Bird of prey,
Hawk, most likely.
Surveys the territory,
Absolutely still.
Suddenly, it glides off,
Spiral on the updraft.
I think it is a bad day
To be a mouse in the field.