I love when, on my daily walks—
at least I try to make them daily—
the universe lobs a challenge

at me. Today so many younger
women, striding by—slim, fit,
full of so many years to come.

Without a sound, little Envy
climbs greenly onto my shoulder,
whispering, That was once you.

This is what my grandmother
meant when she said, You have
so much life ahead of you.

I hope, of course, for a good long
stay on the planet, but I know this well
given the size of my years:

We are not assured of another day.
Every time I see that woman—in my
mind, she is always the same woman—

I nudge Envy off my shoulder, pull up
Admiration, a kinder being, and,
with my older-but-not-super-old,

still-puttering-along heart, wish
that marvelous woman so much good
stretching ahead on her path,

the one she’s walking into
the right now.