We age not when our birthdays come and go,
Nor when our heads with gray begin to show.

We age not when our teeth begin to flee,
Nor when our eyes need glasses just to see.

But when a loved one’s taken by the night,
We age, for loss brings sorrow into light.

We age when ears crave words of love’s embrace,
When autumn winds strip friendships from their place.

We age when we must feign a joyful grin,
While knowing well the end is closing in.

We age when days and nights pass all alone,
Without a friend to share our simple tone.

We age when hearts grow weary with their strain,
For that is when true age begins to reign.