Lines on Turning Forty

Little deaths, they're etching

a fatal design: but these long-dreaded wrinkles

are only markers. Smile

lines, fault lines,

some grievous, grave sin

of the skin, what

difference? There's only one plot,

the story's rather contrived,

yet somehow we must read and interpret

such earthly signs

of loss-

arbitrary as a number,

but deepening.