Turning Point - Coming of Age - Acceptance at Last

("Mrs. It Dances Through It", 2014, original pen and ink) Turning Point - Coming of Age - Acceptance at Last Finally at age 65 I reach a turning point Where a lifetime of doing is seen To be just a lifetime of accumulating Moments and things to give purpose And a reason to be perhaps, But more likely just a way to keep score To express a thwarted competitive edge. Looking back it all adds up To a progression of progressively stronger addictions From stamps and coins, insects and rocks as a kid To dharma practice, climbing routes, books And music, poetry, art and Persian rugs as an adult. Always something a little more to have and to hold And take the place of something less tangible. So where does this leave me now Raw and exposed and tired of the game? Anxious and alone Happy to have at least a few friends Who accept me as I am And a handful of dogs who apparently love me No matter what. What is ahead I ask? The five stages of grief come to mind Letting it all go, the good the bad the ugly, What others may say and I may judge, All that I have done in the confusion of living, Until there is acceptance at last With some golden years left to go in peace. (3/27/24)