Inner Beauty

I held a mirror to my face this morn’

And met me with a critical eye-

More wrinkles and sags than I could count

Then, having counted just gave a sigh –

Was this, I thought, what my own mother felt

As she aged more every year?

Will I ever be free from my judgement calls –

That fill me with such fear?

Too old, too fat, too wrinkled, too worn-

Does my appearance reflect my age?

I try so hard to take care of myself

Yet, my skin protests with rage!

I see myself getting angry and sad

At the loss of my youth in a glance

Then I note how odd it is

My smile – my wrinkles enhance –

Back in time my mind does fly,

Back to a younger day

I was much more vibrant then –

And beauty no price to pay.

Nare a wrinkle on my face,

Nor sag upon  my cheek

Yet I seemed to never have the time –

Or with honesty could I speak –

Now here I am an older me

More confident and  more fit

Of both my body and my soul

Of this, I will admit –

Inner beauty exists but is so hard to see

For appearances get in the way –

The make-up, the colours, the mascara and brows

I need not in the clear light of day –

Look deeper, I say to myself in the mirror

And see what others see –

A heart and a soul that is kind and so gentle

On this so many do agree –

Lift your eyes dear friend in the mirror

So that you are more apt to find

Your true self worth and your value in –

The woman who is so kind

Beauty is not found in looks

Though yours are clear to me

Your worth is measured in your deeds –

You’ve left a legacy!