The Year I Reach My Prime
I'll know what I want
sexually
Become magical
In tune
at last
with life
I'll be USDA Choice
Ripe
Ready
I'll think of younger lovers
and buy anti-wrinkle cream
I'll begin to talk about the past
as if memories
are all that I have
and pay more attention
to aches and moles and lumps
I'll consider going on Valium
Watch what I eat
even more carefully
I'll notice how young
the young are
and ignore that essentially
I no longer am
I'll ponder never having children
and realize the importance of cats
I'll watch the stock market and
my investment options
Read even more
to feign a college education
I never got
and befriend younger women
who will appreciate me a sage
Learn Pagan tactics
burning candles throughout the day
But mostly
I'll be a woman
and proud of the years
that wrote this poem
Cheryl Townsend
