I don’t know when it happened I never saw it coming,
taught tanned skin replaced by soft, saggy folds thick dark hair given over to salt and pepper straw bones that could withstand concrete now barely keep me standing
I don’t know when it happened and I never saw it coming a sharp mind with impeccable memory now clouded in confusion and daily medications the chest of hair proud like a lion now scarred from surgery strong feet that marched and danced and played now calloused, hard and smelly Hands that threw, and gripped and punched can hardly open a jar without assistance
I don’t know when it happened I never saw it coming and the eyes like an eagle that could spot obstacles in the distance now strain to read the paper or recognize a familiar face
Ah but the voice remains It sings and prays and laughs still and has power with my children it can still softly supply the sexuality of my intent and argue politics of the insane and misinformed it still speaks of hope and joy and the future I don’t know when it happened and I never saw it coming. I grew old in an instant