Keep Your Fountain Poem by Tracy Galloway

I grew up today
In a moment I was both my former
And a step ahead
With lightened pause and grin
My fingers reached to rescue
Subtle silver earrings
From a dusty case
While rhinestones slept in late
To dream
Of play and mischief
And all that swirls around
An uncertain mind
Youth! Youth!
That mindless sense to which
In earnest hope
I never will return
So with grateful muse
I end my endless search
A simple jar of oil
A bar of soap
Will keep me in the mirror well
I see me now
While for some the mask is kept
In thin-lipped steely grip
They wave and shiver
Adorned in threadbare sash
Each aged crease
A regret beneath
As red carpet wanes to black
But never me
I relinquish it with joy
Take my crown
And leave my silly plastic hopes
Adrift across that fountain
I have turned away anew
To the grace of age
And wisdom warm
A comfort now
No longer here forgotten