When I was in my younger days,

I weighed a few pounds less,

I needn't hold my tummy in

To wear a belted dress.


But now that I am older,

I've set my body free;

There's comfort of elastic

Where once my waist would be.


Inventor of those high-heeled shoes

My feet have not forgiven;

I have to wear a nine now,

But used to wear a seven.

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Photos by Janet Rapelje

And how about those pantyhose

They're sized by weight, you see,

So how come when I put them on,

The crotch is at my knees?


I need to wear these glasses.

As the prints were getting smaller;

And it wasn't very long ago

I know that I was taller.


Though my hair has turned to silver

and my skin no longer fits,

On the inside, I'm the same old me,

Just the outside's changed a bit.

© Maya Angelou