OLD

I SHALL WEAR DIAMONDS
AND A WIDE BRIMMED STRAW HAT.
WITH SILVER AND LEATHER ON IT,
AND I SHALL SPEND MY SOCIAL SECURITY ON WHITE WINE AND CARROTS,AND SIT IN THE ALLEY OF MY BARN AND LISTEN TO MY HORSES BREATHE.
       I WILL SNEAK OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SUMMER'S NIGHT AND RIDE THE SORREL COLT.
ACROSS THE MOONSTRUCK MEADOW.
IF MY OLD BONES WILL ALLOW.
   AND WHEN PEOPLE COME TO CALL I WILL SMILE AND NOD.
AS I WALK THEM PAST THE GRADENS TO THE BARN
AND SHOW , INSTEAD, THE BEAUTY GROWING HERE IN STALLS FREST-LINED WITH STRAW.
      I WILL LEARN TO SHOVEL AND SWEAT AND WEAR HAY IN MY HAIR AS IF IT WERE A JEWEL.
AND I WILL BE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO ALL WHO LOOK DOWN ON ME.
    WHO HAVE NOT YET FOUND THE PEACE IN BEING FREE
TO LOVE A HORSE AS A FRIEND.
A FRIEND WHO WAITS AT MIDNIGHT HOUR WITH MUZZLE AND NICKER AND PATIENT EYES.
FOR THE KIND OF WOMAN I WILL BE.
               WHEN I AM OLD

               AUTHER UNKNOWN