I See Willie Nelson in My Mirror

I See Willie Nelson in My Mirror

I used to recognize myself but not
today. What is this roundness in my face?
Where are the gaunt cheekbones I thought were hot?
What is this puffiness that’s taking place?

I have to call it what it is. Each jowl
now droops so bad my neck's become diffused.
My skin once tight—now when I shave, I growl
and pull it hard or else it gets abused.

It doesn’t hang in folds just yet, but soon,
I sadly think. And I console myself
how Willie's face can make a woman swoon,
looks great just like a sprightly wrinkled elf.        

But now that I am he, I cannot see
that he is any better off than me.

Author: Randy Mazie

Photo: Dylan Mullins on Unsplash