Seasons of Change

I looked in the mirror today.
The little girl there
Gazed back at me.
She held in her hand
Bubbles, round and unbroken,
Tenuous rainbows of
Unfulfilled dreams.

I looked in the mirror today.
The teenager there
Gazed back at me.
She held a rosebud in her hand,
Dusky crimson, petals
Not willing to spill
The whole story.

I looked in the mirror today.
The young mother there
Gazed back at me.
In her arms slept an infant,
A cherub
On loan for a time
From heaven.

I looked in the mirror today.
The old woman there
Gazed back at me.
Her silver hair framed
A face with
Lines.
The lines told a story
Of bubbles
And rosebuds
And infants.
In her hands, she held wisdom,
Hard-earned
Priceless.