a morsel of wisdom is worth
every wrinkle upon your face,
grey hair above your head.

she is the blanket soft, yet fierce
of those who have wandered long enough 
to realise that even when 
she instructs you walk a path 
more rugged than you’d choose,
that her advice is worth it.

she is a warm and velvet comfort 
that rests upon your skin,
yet more watchful, protective, honest  
than any kind of armour polished
you used to strive to wear.

life with her is peaceful, pure
more than you ever comprehended
when your simple, constant default
was to take the easy road 

and all the things you gathered 
when you were merely young 
and have needed to unlearn

were worth every tear you shed
as you leaned right in and learned 
the harmonious, crystal voice 
of her wise, protective words. 

                                    ~heather pound 

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