The child in the old woman br Lurks very near the skin; br Though buried by long years of care, br She’ll surface once again. br br She shows her face quite shyly, br With a wondering sort of smile; br Her emotions near and vibrant, br For she hasn’t any guile. br br The child in the old woman br Be careful, not to wound- br Her days and hours are precious; br She’s leaving all too soon. br br You’ll see the child she once was, br In the vagaries of living; br And far from becoming selfish, br Her days are filled with giving. br br There’s a beauty in an old face, br That’s lacking in the young, br As she contemplates a journey, br That she hasn’t yet begun. br br The child in the old woman br Is much wiser than she seems, br For she celebrates in vision br What we’d only view as dreams. br br She hails a new tomorrow, br Past dimensions we can’t see, br And prepares for a new reality- br One where she is finally free. br br The child in the old woman br Smiles at secrets we can’t know- br But the biggest one of all- br Inside she never did grow old.