Destiny

Going with the flow

Destiny

Nature moves to implement
Her blueprint for development.
Each kernel, seed and sapling knows
the predetermined way it grows.

With each one of the passing years
another layered ring appears
to measure systematically
the progress of maturity.

Stout and stately, good and strong,
this pattern destined all along,
a sturdy structure set from birth
to increase annually in girth.

The surface texture grown, since youth,
more gnarled and pitted where once smooth,
each roughened patch and wrinkled fold
another sign of growing old.

We cannot alter Nature’s path,
I muse, reflecting in the bath.
It won’t be changed by tears or sighs.
I’m doomed – I’ve grown my grandma’s thighs.