In Her Dimming Eyes

It’s an ordinary day when

She begins to walk in my direction at the gym

And yet she catches my eye

This older woman with whitening hair

and dimming eyes

She clasps hands with a gentleman,

graying like herself.

What must it be like for her? To be

surrounded by those

younger, fitter, than she; those for whom

exercising is natural

and not yet the hard struggle that it

is for her?

Does she resent our youth, our agility that

so long ago abandoned her?

Does she see herself in the young women around her

and think, “If only they knew?”

Does she wonder where the time has gone or does she

treasure each remembered second?

She’s getting closer now, her eyes catch mine and

I can’t look away.

We share a smile as she passes by and for a moment

I can see it in her eyes

The young woman she used to be who has formed the

woman she is today.

 

Today’s poem was inspired by a real moment that only consisted of a few seconds at the gym. As I get older, I begin to be more aware of everyone else around me and I feel a grand sense of sonder (or the realization that everyone I see has just as complicated a life as I do with their own hopes, dreams, fears, and desires). When I saw this older woman, I felt instantly connected to her and wondered if she too had gone to the gym some 60 years ago, working out, trying to look her best for her future husband. Did she see older woman and wonder about them the way I wondered about her? I don’t know, but it was such an interesting moment, I had to write about it.

What about you? Do you ever see a stranger on the street and all the sudden realize that they are living their own unique life, they are not just a backdrop, but a real identity with wants and fears?

In other news, I’m heading off to my Bachelorette Weekend tomorrow! I won’t be on WordPress until Monday.

Have a great weekend!

©KaylaAnnAuthor

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