Ursula urges me to
become a Crone
to not bemoan
my declining hormones

to wear grey hair
catch a space ship
somewhere out there
so I can share

my wit, my wisdom
my years of fertility
raising children
(ensuring my humility)

so the fourth planet Altair
can learn about the human race
from a woman (once a virgin)
and now a Crone (on loan)

But I’m all for my inner space
and I won’t go grey
well, not yet, not today
there’s plenty of time

because I still want to play
to flaunt in the twilight
my age now my highlight
on the cusp of something

almost a Crone — not quite
ready for Ursula’s throne
but not afraid either
thumb out — hitching a ride

not looking back, nor
particularly forward
pausing as they say — oh,
but not for men

for me!

Maggie Rainey-Smith
(First published, New Sealand Book, Vol 17, Issue 78, Winter 2007)