Surviving Jesus Age

some thoughts on getting older.

Phoenix Art Museum, 2018 by Laura Villareal

Long ago I learned the trick,

             walk away       when you see

your own      reflection.

             Walk     into the hard swallow,

unflinching    as it is. Uncertainty

             unfolds     like a firefly’s flicker.     I know

my body       must be swarmed.

             What overwhelms me?—

Accumulation,

             panoramic & breathing.   Clutter

in my heart       with many exits.

             I am

amazed     I have lived

              this long.   In the dark,

             I hold one

                          strung

light, small as a pin, to my face

             as if it will illuminate

the way out,

             but like this room

my thicket of worry

             eclipses

anything

giving way to light.