The mirror in the bathroom

gives a full view

of what is now my declining state

as my body takes on the appearance

of an accident

with ambulances screaming

and flashing warning lights

there are scars and scabs

and flab

where there used to be toned muscle

and vibrant skin

now youth takes on the pallor of old age

dullness diminishes the shine

hard steel turns to rust

and so I turn off the light

and light a candle instead

for in the soft flickering light

things look much better

I can be alone with my old age

and accept its slow insurgency

we give thanks that

with old age comes poor vision

we cannot see the cob webs or the dust

the blessing of old age is that we

cannot see it coming

its only saving grace.