My forehead has become
A series of furrows
Lumps on the brow
Not the face at all
Of once upon a time

The relentless rolling of time
Shows the routes travelled
In your soul and heart
Even on your face
Character perhaps
Or just degradation

I look now at the faces
Of the young and beautiful
Thinking how wonderful
It is to have youth
Before time devours
Those glorious visages

I wouldn’t deny you
That moment of beauty
Celebrate now continuously
While the sun shines
On your light life
But respect your elders
Because that’s where
You’re going to
At the end of the day.