بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

dust, wrinkles
pruned wise old skin stretched and let
over aching joints and shoulders bent
by the world’s weight in wisdom
slow, unsteady
clustered melanin spots and a quiet march
the longer it goes the shorter it seems
‘till a lifespan is reduced to the blink of an eye
every gaze counted, word accounted, hope and regret
strong old hands go lax
release the world’s weight in worry
peace, or punishment, prayed for the former
strong old hands gone weak
still raised in humble submission