Beautiful Old Age
It ought to be lovely to be old
to be full of the peace
that comes of experience
and wrinkled ripe
fulfillment.
The wrinkled smile of completeness
that follows a life lived undaunted
and unsoured with accepted lies
they would ripen like apples,
and be scented like Poppins
in their old age.
Soothing, old people should be
like apples when one is tired
of love.
Fragrant like yellowing leaves
and dim with the soft stillness
and satisfaction of autumn.
And a girl should say:
It must be wonderful to live
and grow old.
Look at my mother, how rich
and still she is.
And a young man should think:
By Jove my father has faced
all weathers, but it's been a life.
