Ode To Mid-Life

So many years doing what I should Daughter, sister, wife, mother Expectations to meet, unrequited dreams to fulfill Oh how exhausting it all proved to be Stretching myself thin, reaching for the brass ring Child, woman, seeker, believer Knowing all my dreams were just around the bend Always just around the bend Is it any wonder I lost myself Naive, hopeful, loyal, passionate In time the girl I was found her voice again To damnation with their expectations A mid-life crisis they say Foolish, anxious, emotional, angry Not herself, just a phase to be endured Oh how great was their surprise Standing like an autumn maple Strong, confident, colorful, true Singing a familiar song not heard in decades Finally rounding the bend If a mid-life crisis it be, bring it on, I say Dreamer, achiever, lover, friend I am the butterfly emerged from sleep and ready to fly Fly with me, see the beauty in life, or be left behind