Poem I002 Poem by RIC BASTASA

a challenge is set for the old woman
at bay
her gray hair she takes pride of
her scars
the wrinkles of her hands and the
failing memory
what she remembers she keeps again
treasures in her mind
her youth was joy and her fruits
so many

now she retires and in silence keeps
what is adorable
work is here and in her hands the records
of her past glory are still written on the lines
of her palms

there is no complaining about what is here
for if your youth did it
why can't age be another triumph?

if you choose complacency
everything will be wasted for it is the end
line that matters

here lies an old woman who won her youth
hammered with all the concerns and never surrendered.