I'm living in the midday of my life. br The textures have all changed, br edges blurring from the careless br hand of time, a sloppy paintbrush br on the angles of my face, my form; br the stranger in the mirror br does not show the sparkle br burning in my spirit, br deep inside, untouched, br untainted by the waters br flowing deep beneath the bridges br I have crossed to get to here. br The subtle darkness in my hair br is overwhelmed by silver, br I have been crowned in moonlight br where darkest night once ruled; br as eyes that rival br limpid woodland pools, br a smoky peat all shot with gold, br are hidden under glass. So changed br still yet unchanging. I sit and wonder br where have I gone, when did I go away? br When did the “snap, pop, crackle” br in my joints become a stab of pain? br When did my fine young fury br become a gentle smile br just like those of adults br who did not understand? br The answer dances just ahead br of where I stand today and yet br it is not sadness makes me cry br it is the times I did not say br I love you. I shall no longer br waste my hours looking in the corners, br at the ground, instead of reaching br for the stars that are my birthright; br I shall stretch, shall set those joints br to creaking, embracing life and love br and living in my midday br with all my wild young heart.