by Maria Barrett, New Orleans Writer & Poet

I do not fear aging 

I seek to do so 

in hues of summer storm and sunset 

formidable indigo 

crimson

and blood orange 

black eye pink

and purple bruised 

resilient

soft and tender wise 

as wilted peonies 

and ballet slippers 

scuffed and faded pink

honeysuckles

and bits of 

poetry and stories 

tucked in my grey hair