Ageless Love

by Blythe McGarvie

The English poet who wrote "Warning" begins:
"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me."
As a thirty-something, I thought an elder composed a poignant message to me.
I framed the poem for my lilac-painted master bathroom wall.
Every morning and night, the poster reminded me to add fun now and a bit of craziness
In a life shaped around responsibilities.

The poet is now eighty-two years old, yet was under thirty
When she published the poem in her first collection.
Do we accomplish our best works in our twenties?
Many mathematicians do. Some Mothers do.
Many fifteen minutes of fame dissipate as my open bottle of perfume evaporates.
Or, I can't shake that momentary recognition from a slice of the world which matters little.
Life changes at rates as different as the poplar and oak trees' growth; some are chopped down.

Too many artificial yet customary rules predict-- age matters.
Read about the eight life stages (and many claim only seven) and you will give up your passions.
Perhaps you are more tired than you used to be as a teenager. It matters little
Since sleeping as a baby leads to healthy growth of mind and body.
We need our own rules--to live, love, learn and laugh.
We need to embrace history to stand on the shoulders of giants.
We need to find women who inspire us like you do.

It still fascinates to have Elders of Ninety teach us.
When she reaches that age, she's earned the right to give advice and share wisdom.
Did she smoke, exercise, read, raise a family, work, seek adventure?
Did she handle disappointments and restrictions with aplomb?
Did she struggle with finances, weight, mean friends and being ignored?
Did she wave a flag, learn to drive, kiss a boy with uncontrollable passion?
Did she give and receive love with an open heart?