Middle-Stage Woman

 So far middle-age is much better than I thought it would be...

when I was young!

I wonder how soon I'll read this poem...

and wish I would have kept my tongue?!😁

...using the word 'tea' as a good get-together reason for catching up with each other's busy lives

  my sisters, sisters-in-laws and mom got together at Lucy's house on Monday afternoon.

We are all approaching, discovering or well into 'middle-stage' (yes, even mom...she's not 80 yet:)

thus, finding in spite of many differences, much common ground!

(A few tea-cup pics from Victoria's collection)

Caught between flattery of youth

And wisdom of the sage

We covet both; small-talk and truth

A woman, middle-stage

A bit of whimsy, never spent

As moments take their toll

To leave us, modestly content

In weathered skin of soul

A girl disguised by wear and tear

Of day-to-week to years

That we know will always be there

Though her face disappears

…and leaves what may seem at first glance

A book, quite nondescript

Where chapters of love-loss-romance

‘neath seasoned Cover slipped

Those well-intended promises

We made when we were young

And Time won’t let her keep, I guess

Will keep her going strong

...just a tree, missing a few leaves

Bloom with some petals lost

Just a girl trading first fancies

For Things That Matter Most

…determined, with humility

To embrace turn of page

Graced with ancient discovery

Of women, middle-stage

© Janet Martin