Viewpoints

 

I catch myself in a shop window

pushing my walker,

my bottom sticking out backwards

further than I think, 

my crochet sun-hat pulled down

nearly to my eyes.

My pretty, floaty purple dress

doesn’t at all disguise

the weighty body inside. Who IS 

this doppelgänger I fail to recognise?

A rueful smile. Ah well,

I guess this is being old.

A much younger woman

pushing a laden shopping trolley

diverts to the nature strip

to let me past. 

We share a laugh

at how narrow the path.

‘You look lovely in that dress!’

she throws over her shoulder.

‘Thank you, my love,’ I call back

(she’s a stranger), 

‘You’ve made my day!’

She has no idea how much.