that number
climbs closer to 50
& all the selves
I carry inside
nest each other
like Russian dolls–
the women I was
holds those women
I might have been
& greets the one
I am still becoming
so many layers
in one being
on the surface
simple
until I start opening
Susan Daniels Poetry 
Fine work. I like this, and by the way, over fifty isn’t too bad.
Lori, thank you–and I am enjoying all of it so far!
one more milestone on the road to the future…the wayfarer changing and unchanged at the same time, even as the times change.
Oh, Noel–your words are reminding me of a certain Bob Dylan for some reason–always a good thing!
Love the imagery here Susan, especially the … actually especially all of it ~ a wonderful poem that so many will identify with ~ I’ve read it three times already and will return to read again …
Polly–thank you…the fact that you read it three times has me turning all shades of red. Very happy you liked it.
Aye I can relate to this great write
Ian–thank you–really enjoyed the image that came to me!
love this Susan. Great imagery..Russian dolls…the layers of self and still opening. I like your positive flow. Inspiring
Thanks, UBS–just popped in my head last night, and had to write it out. I wanted to write one about aging (my own aging) without complaining about gray hair and bemoaning gravity…
Ah, to be 46 again! You all are making me feel old. I, too, like the nesting doll metaphor.
Aw, Leo–you just have a few more dolls already made than I do 😉
Simple, yet FULL to the brim with meaning and imagery. It’s unsettling and yet strangely reassuring to know that even as you grow older, those feelings linger.
Yes, Ms. S–they never, ever go away 😉 You carry it all with you!
The russian dolls line is sooo good and captures the feeling so well.
Danny–thank you. Yes, all those selves still there! Thank you.
Until you open, indeed.
🙂 I really like Russian dolls as an image, the layers of being.
Love it. Especially the woman you were holding the woman you might have been! exactly! And fear nothing sfam…50 is just a number on a stone…a jumping off point to the next half. if can be the best jump of your life.
Hey–looking forward to the jump. I just wanted to write something about aging that didn’t complain about it 😉
So am I trudging on to 50, and still 46. Lovely piece!
Thanks, Celestine 🙂
A-peeling sweet image!
Thanks, Deb 😉