Spring Resilience

The struggle to accept and be as the sap rises.

Ink drawing by the Author

Already girded against others’ perceptions — strapped toe to chin in the gossamer wrinkles of a sun damaged skin -` I stride, flapping in my shorts, through throngs of kissed, firm limbs and plumped youth.

Yet, age has thickened my carapace which, like a becalmed sail, is held strong by a solid mast of conviction — that the…