In praise of old age

I write in praise of old age

I write in praise of the decades

my life on earth

the 0.seconds

m1nut3s

ho:urs

d a y s

and

y

e

a

r

s

my gradual loss of metabolism

the down of the back and in turn the height

the eventual grey hairs

or white

the attempts to dye them frequently

the sag of the mangoes as gravity pulls down

the wrinkles of my eyes and around my mouth

the wrinkle which connects my eyes

presenting itself with every squint

every animated form of confusion

in praise of the weariness of my sight

“i was 22 when i got glasses” my teacher once said

i’m 22 now

old age is gradual but even so its affects are pronounced

old age is felt when you’re graduating

your brother about to begin

but today

I write in praise of old age because one day

i’ll get there

but until then I only feel some of the effects

so today, i’ll write in praise

*This piece has been set to be publicly posted as I finish my last exam of my final year at Sheffield University *

TO GOD BE THE GLORY