forces act
within us and without
energies intrude on us
from every direction
grind and crush
shear and wrinkle
our every surface

it’s no surprise
the tensile strength
is tested
the surfaces respond
dimensions alter

I have seen it in vacant faces
in weathered and scarred hands
in wane and frightened eyes
in trembling, frail steps
in uncertain flesh

I have known it
in the eyes in the mirror
but it never stilled me
or froze me as deeply as
when I saw it before me
in your eyes