It’s been an age
by Elouise
This is one of my favorite poems, at least as true today as it was when I posted it in November 2014. Today has been filled with a mixture of happiness and contentment, along with a lurking feeling that we’re all at sea, and the ship of state is stressed.
How do you see yourself and others today? I hope you’ll give yourself a great big smile before the day is done. Then give away at least one more smile. All we can count on is the present.
It’s been an age since I first met you—
You there, looking back at me
Three score years plus eleven to be exact
You haven’t changed a bit, they say
You and I know better
Sometimes I can’t believe it’s you
I hardly know you
Could we start over do you think?
Would it be as much fun?
I don’t know.
Was it fun for you?
Are you as puzzled as I am?
I seem to have more questions than answers today
Where and when did we find each other?
We seem to get along
But then we always did even when we didn’t
So who am I to say?
All I know is looking back at me
Wondering where the time has flown
And who this beautiful woman is
Smiling at me through the mirror
* * *
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 20 November 2014, reposted 18 June 2020
Photo Credit: DAFraser, December 2012
Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon
Telling the Truth 
How do I see myself? I look old. I feel old. But that can’t be, there’s too much to do. By God’s grace I will see those things come to fruition or His grace will enable me to let some of them go. My age really doesn’t matter. I am sorry that I didn’t share a smile with anyone today.
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Marilyn, I relate to so much of your response. I also wonder how God sees you? I think She’s smiling at you right now. 🙂
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I chuckled as I read this (again), Elouise! I enjoyed it the first time, and that has not changed. I look in the mirror and wonder how my mom got in there! I am more and more aware that, as 97 year old Mary Bunting once said to me, when I was a seminary student, “I keep forgetting, dear, that the person you see looking at you is not a young girl anymore.” I loved that about Mary – she spoke of her youth in the present tense, and retained a youthful sense of wonder and joy, along with a recognition of the increasing effects of gravity…
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Debbie, I love your line about wondering how your mom got in that mirror! So true. I also love your comment about Mary Bunting. Wise words, indeed! 🙂
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A young person asked me two days ago how I kept a smile on my face and I said it was just habit.
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Doubtless instilled in you by your lovely mother and your handsome father? 🙂
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Thank you Ma’am.
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You’re welcome, Sir. 🙂
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A wonderful poem, Elouise! 🙂
Today I saw myself as very grateful! I was thinking about all the wonderful people in my life!
But, as I thought of others, I, also, felt sad as so many of them are struggling in so many ways.
We MUST spread smiles!
🙂 🙂 🙂
(((HUGS)))
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Oh yes…it’s always a mixed picture, isn’t it? Especially NOW! Which makes our public smiles (and projected hugs) more important than ever. 🙂
Thanks for your kind comment. 🙂 🙂
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