Woman in the Mirror

I saw the old woman today
and was startled and afraid

I saw the sadness in her eyes,
the wear and tear of life’s worry

I saw the old woman today
scowls and smiles, anger and laughter

permanently etched in her face
as though the sculptor’s knife was too blunt and swift,

all signs of youth dried and caked
amid age spots

I saw the old woman today
and I was startled and afraid

and she saw me
and she was startled and afraid