12/23
Sonnets From Other Lives: Olivia

Initially invisibility
angered her—but in time her rage
abated as she slowly came to see
that for a woman of a certain age
a weight is lifted. Burdened by desire
for desirability she had
labored long to kindle little fires,
when in fact the effort made her sad.
She gave it up—the rigid painted face—
starvation diets—agonizing heels.
Her clothes fit loose. She let her hair go gray.
She shocks herself at how good all this feels.
Her favorite moments now are spent alone
She’s stumbled on the wisdom of the crone.