Who Are You?

There was a time your body was growing
shoes didn’t fit, breast burst forth
feelings deep inside, changing from little girl

to woman. What used to be out of reach
was now attainable, knowledge, power, confidence -
once only a promise, now acquired

but changes still occur and the diminished capacity
of aging takes you by surprise.

The constant companion of pain
gives time and place
to a mind that wanders

too many people are missing
from this existence,
you are no longer trying to become someone

but to hang on to life.

Still young by old folks standards
the thought of twenty more years
leaves you tossing in your bed at night

but I guess with so many in your age group
coming to the same point in life
the standards for aging will change.

I saw an advertisement for diapered underwear
smooth as silk to be worn under glamorous gowns

so... if everyone else is doing it
you can still be active in your lifestyle
whatever it is you do

no wonder I can't sleep at night.