Self-Denial.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

when old age visits
actually you do not immediately detect its presence
somehow you love to deny
its inevitability
you keep yourself busy and
focus on the strengths
and flexibility of youth
until you finally find it
sitting beside you
and both of you are drunk
making merry
trying to forget the numbers
as the wrinkles
become visible
spreading all over your
body
your skin losing the luster
turning into
a waistline larger
than what you think
and you look at yourself in the mirror
oh God
what an oversized shirt
what a lousy pair of pants
you cannot even recognize
that the bald man
in front of you
is really you but thanks God
you were given
the bonus of
these unearned years