My Santiago

beguile the world

with elaborates ruses of

cut, colour, cloth and cunning,

we see only what we insist on seeing.

But all is not lost!

There is comfort in that we are all in this together,

And on the days that we can prise fingers free

of yearnings for bravado, boldness and unadulterated freedom;

The thoughtlessness of action, and

the sensual pleasure of being noticed – by women;

On those days,

We are free from being compelled to be the bravest, the strongest, the fastest,

And willingly,

We exchange these for the freedom from expectations now.

Age granting the gradual beauty of breaking free

from self-imposed shackles.

No use regretting,

Looking back – wistfully – and making it more than it was!

Just best to say: “This is good; this is exactly where I should be”;

And with whom!

Bringing that sense of knowing,

Knowing what to say,

when to say it,

And to whom .

Knowing how long to stay,

And when to leave.