We Do Not Have To Grow Old
by Joanna Gilman Hyde
Our skin on our cheek
does not have to peel away
from the palm it rests upon.
We could keep on walking
if we had somewhere to go
and a little help to get us there.
We do not have to lose our teeth.
We do not have to lose our minds
if others can relate to us on some level.
We do not have to stop sex.
We can keep on living
if we take care of ourselves
and if others help us
to care for ourselves.