Bittersweet Life

When you look at me,
What do you see?
A shrivelled shell?
- This living hell.

Over the years
I watch the waste,
Youth went away
and left decay.

But, though I'm slow -
My movements limited -
An effort just to walk two paces
I see your disapproval upon your faces,
When you look at me.

But don't forget:
That with waste and decay
Comes life.

Wisdom is not born
Out of youth, or beauty;
But comes with experience;
living life, serving others;
Duty.

So next time,
Take a closer look,
and see me.
For who I am -
A person, a woman;
A man.


- S