Laugh-Lines

by StoryWeaver13

Published August 8, 2012

In Poetry B.C.

When I imagine getting old,
I'm not afraid -
not of sickness, pain, or sorrow,
nor of liver spots and moles.
I'm not afraid of the inevitable. 

I'm afraid
of looking in the mirror
to see depressed
chasms in my cheeks
and sunken, sad old
eye sockets
longing for sleep.

I'm afraid 
that, painted on my skin
like tribe marks, will be
the signs of a tired life,
of worry.

I'm afraid
that my forehead 
will be lined like notebook paper
folded up in scrutiny...
you know, the way paper looks
when it's been half-heartedly crumpled.
When it's been thrown away.

I'm afraid, above all else, 
that my laugh-lines
just won't be bold enough to suit me. 
Comments & reviews · 5
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Raelyn723
Review
Raelyn723 wrote a review Review · Aug 9, 2012

I really liked this!! Not much of a poetry person, but this was interesting and I could really relate to it. Your simile with the forehead like the crinkled notebook paper was really creative. I think you're really talented :)

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LittleFox
Review
LittleFox wrote a review Review · Aug 8, 2012

I really like this a lot :) and I love the name, for what ever reason it really drew me in. I like the voice in this very much. It sounds very honest. I've always enjoyed this kind of poetry- simple, with a deep meaning many can relate to. Bravo! :D

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Gingerhead
Comment
Gingerhead commented Comment · Aug 8, 2012

I liked your poem

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myababii
Review
myababii wrote a review Review · Aug 8, 2012

I really like your poem. When it talked about the forehead, I completely understood it. I especially like that your poem does not talk about the good things of getting older but of what you do not look for when you are older. I also like your simile about the wrinkles on your face resemble tribe marks. I hope to read more of your work.

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Celtichick3900 Comment
Celtichick3900 commented Comment · Aug 8, 2012

I like poetry like this. It's not angsty, just poignant and thoughtful. So much better than the "Black heart, blah blah, dark raven, blah blah, abyss" crap, you know what I mean? Shows a lot of actual skill too. I'm quite impressed.

Congratulations on a decent poem, friend



Attention is the beginning of devotion.
— Mary Oliver, Upstream