Oh, right- Hmmm...

[poliphilo]

I was in the hotel room dressing or undressing. I had my shirt off and my mind was God knows where and Ailz snapped a photo of me. 

I'd post it only Ailz has lost the lead to her camera and can't download it. (You believe me, right?)

It shows a fat old man. A fat old man with a vacant expression. 
 
Actually- worse than that;  it shows a ghoul.

I don't believe I've put on weight, but the muscles have relaxed.

You look in the mirror and you don't see the truth. You edit and adapt. You have an idea of what you "really" look like and you lay that across the appearance. Also the reflection plays along. It smiles and grimaces and acts youthful.

In my mind I'm ageless. Or- let's say- a young-looking 40:  mature, but still slim and trim with a boyish face. People used to tell me I didn't look my age and I was pleased to believe them.

Now I come to think of it, no-one has told me that for a while.

And now I know why.

Comments

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

The gray in my hair is barely noticable at 37, but if I were to let my beard grow it would be all too obvious. Thankfully running, calesthenics, and yoga have kept that southward softening trend at bay for the time being. But it's coming. I see it in those high school friends I still have regular contact with as well.

I think it takes a degree of humor. Old age is Death smiling at us. All we can do is smile back.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm 20 years ahead of you and the fella's not just smiling, he's giving me this evil grin.