I wrote a little poem about the struggles I have with getting into middle age and all the feelings that go with it. Grey Matter Chatter.

Her hair going grey, so dry and wirey, such a shame it used to be orange and firey.

Blue eyes tired, semi covered with hoods, if she could afford surgery she probably would.

Look at her mouth, her teeth are all wonky, when she laughs she brays like a noisy old donkey.

Her neck is all wrinkly and looks like a turkey, good job she accepts that she’s ever so quirky.

Her shoulders are good, and so are her arms, possibly helped by working summers on farms.

Her hands tell the stories of hard work, like leather. She probably should have covered them when out in the weather.

Her breasts are bigger but positioned much lower. Oh why won’t the years start to pass much slower?

Her ribs are wider and seem to flare at the waist. Can no longer button tight trousers with haste.

And talking of waists, where did hers go? Her torso resembles a cube, oh the woe!

Hips and bottom bigger than ever. Will they get smaller? Probably never!

Legs covered in veins, cellulite is all lumpy. She’s started to look decidedly frumpy.

Skin is all wrinkly, she’s got kind of saggy, better wear clothes that are shapeless and baggy.

But she loves herself so what does it matter? If only she could silence this grey matter chatter!

She sits herself down on top of her seat, closes her eyes and begins to repeat.

“You are lovely, healthy, beautiful and wise. You still have naughty sparkly eyes!”

“You are kind, you belong, you still wear a thong. For your age you are remarkably strong.”

“You are bold, you are brave, you sing like a bird. Enough with mean chatter, it’s totally absurd!”

“You have friends and family who love you so much. To so many lives you bring your magical touch.”

“You are beautiful, smart, creative” she sighs. “Why does your brain tell you so many lies?”

She begins to breathe deeply, unfurrows her brow. She knows sitting quietly she’ll figure out how.

To be as kind to herself as she is to others. She turns her own thoughts from enemies to lovers.

She changes her feelings to ones she prefers to be there. And resolves to herself to be more loving and fair.

by Lindsey Sawada, Saturday April 29th 2023.