Beautiful Old Age

David Herbert Lawrence

It ought to be lovely to be old 

to be full of the peace that comes of experience 

and wrinkled ripe fulfilment. 

The wrinkled smile of completeness that follows a life 

lived undaunted and unsoured with accepted lies 

they would ripen like apples, and be scented like pippins 

in their old age. 

Soothing, old people should be, like apples 

when one is tired of love. 

Fragrant like yellowing leaves, and dim with the soft 

stillness and satisfaction of autumn. 

And a girl should say: 

It must be wonderful to live and grow old. 

Look at my mother, how rich and still she is! - 

And a young man should think: By Jove 

my father has faced all weathers, but it's been a life!

-o0o-