Growing Old With You

I am growing old with you,
perhaps I’m growing older
faster than you wish to, but
you are growing older too.

It wasn’t what we’d planned
I know, it sort of quietly up
and happened, a consequence
of hectic, flowing years

gathered faster than you’d
expect when you’re having
fun, maintaining the pace,
showing the race hasn’t

extinguished the flame.
These last few days suggest
it isn’t all that easy, a late
wintery change has left

a lingering sense of regret,
there are so many things you
still want to do and the jury
is out whether I’m to blame,

but I’ll be blamed nonetheless.
I confess I have an advantage
I’d like to share, I have watched
the most significant women

a man has in his life, besides his
wife, grow old, and I have learned.
This is a change you have to make
or it will unmake you as surely

as your love rings true to its earliest
origins. Time has not denied you nor is
it a thief, the truth is not deceased
and your beauty is just beginning.

Are you ready to grow old with me?
© I.D. Carswell 2006