Slowing Down

After hurrying through days
of busy occasions dutifully noted
on calendars with fast-turning pages,
I hear whispers around me,
talk of how I am slowing down

as if something's wrong with that
and I should be sorry to be my age,
mournful about the changes.

But for now I have to say
how welcome the changes are,
that it's good sometimes
to live within a smaller compass,
no longer in charge of anything
more than daily necessities,

that I am learning
to be worthy of time
and robust with memory
in a sanctuary of silence
where the loves of my long life
walk the shadows with me

where we embrace,
where we sing.

~ Jeanne Lohmann