Battle Scars
nobody ever tells you
that one day
you’ll try to imagine yourself young
and find
that you can’t
life has happened
too many years
have gone by
and you’ve seen and done
and felt
too much
your body bears
the battle scars
of age
the belly that swelled
the breasts that nursed
the arms that held
and rocked
the fruit
of your womb
the eyes once bright
that wept
and laughed
and slept too little
the mouth
that smiled with joy
and wailed
with grief
how much blood was spilt
how many tears shed
along the way
and yet
we worry
about a few
gray
hairs
we see the wrinkles
as something
lost
instead
of something
gained
youth flees
but in its place
leaves wisdom
beauty fades
to make room
for the fine lines of
experience
you must not allow this
the world says
dye
lift
tuck
fill
keep the enemy of age
at bay
but we cannot live
without dying
we cannot fight
without a few scars
we cannot give
without becoming
less
our story
is written
on our bodies
so that
we might not
forget
and though the outward
shall change
the breath of
new life
revives
our souls
day by day.