Ancient diaries of the girl who always knew better

At 13, it was all about the boy
-the one who never saw her-
Maybe if she smiled more...

At 14, she was worldly
and so much more mature
than that shallow girl of last year

At 18, she had it all sorted out
How to love and leave
without losing herself

At 25, she cringed at past folly,
so much smarter now
and learning to commit

At 33, she tasted true loss and love,
surely arrived at the pinnacle
of discernment now

At 45, she discovered
she had never really known pain
as her soul crumpled and then re-grew

Now at 50, still listening, learning,
and soon today's earnest wisdom
will appear as the infancy of 13