Ode To a Grey Hair

Dear Grey Hair,

Remember when

young youth hugged me?

I ran with it,

flew with it.

Thinking I could take my time.

I could wait,

procrastinate.

No time to preserve.

To pay attention.

Then you came and

Shocked me

Rocked me

I screamed,

"Time is here!

Time is empty,

wanting to be noticed,

needing to be filled

with memories

and dreams honored!"

You reminded me

that time was racing

while I was pacing,

taking it for granted.

"I'm scared,

what have I done?"

"Who will I be,

is there time to be born again?"

Roughly, I pulled you away

disconnecting you

from myself.

I set you apart.

You were not me!

You couldn't be.

Then I noticed

your strength.

Gathered from the years.

I tied you to a balloon.

And I shook you.

The balloon

bounced,

flounced,

and even pounced,

but you stayed strong.

When the balloon slapped,

you didn't snap.

You took no CRAP!

And I finally realized

You

are

me.

Every year your friends

have joined you,

and with each one

I grow stronger.

With appreciation.

Sincerely,

Me