She only saw blue veins worming through
liver spotted hands, joints knarled as
aged tree branches turning this way,
that way, unable to grasp unless with
pain that penetrated deep into sadness
We saw a heart overflowing with love,
heard laughter pealing like sacred bells
high in a church tower and knew a young
woman walked alongside her straight and
tall apart from her bent leg and cane
She thought if only time would slow and
beauty isn’t only skin deep because I
feel the years all the way through and I
really commiserate with the Ugly Duckling
longing to be that beautiful Swan
We thought how beautiful she is especially
when she smiles making us warm inside amid
gloomy days always sunny causing us to think
how wonderful to age with such grace and to
cause others to feel as beautiful as she
© June 2011 Renee Espriu
In memory of my grandmother, who no matter what, was young always.
reneejustturtleflight.com 
Renee, that last stanza is heartfelt and so beautiful. What we can learn and see with those older and wiser. I love this poem.
Pamela
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Renee, what a heartfelt tribute to your grandmother. It’s true, as we grow older… actually, we turn from swans in our own eyes back into ugly ducklings! Thanks, hon. Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/who-really-needs-the-shrink/
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Lovely ‘two-sided’ poem, Renee. I love the image of ‘a young/woman walked alonside her straight and/tall…’
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That is really, really beautiful!
“We saw a heart overflowing with love,
heard laughter pealing like sacred bells”
What a wonderful tribute.
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a magical poem renee. simply magical. a heart full of love is most beautiful heart.
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Such a wonderful post ! This goest to all grandmothers .. such special ladies 🙂
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Beautiful, a wonderful positioning of the contrast of old and new. It seems we see ourselves as we used to be, the age lines, and bent frame are simply out of the question as we look in the mirror. Because it is our hearts we are really looking at. And, with this it is good that people never really die, but live on in our hearts too forever.
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Such a beautiful Poem.. Your Grandmother must have been a Beautiful lady, We seldom see ourselves as others do.. A beautiful collection of poems and a wonderful site you have here.. ~ Dreamwalker~
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I love the two points of view in your poem. Growing up in a culture that worships youth and puts its elders in squalid nursing homes, I used to dread getting older. Now that I am that older woman, I can see how mistaken it is to think that only the young are beautiful and of value. As you so beautifully point out, there is a grace and beauty that comes with age, wisdom and the ability to be compassionate and loving. I love my age and these years are the most precious of my life. hugs, pat
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beautiful ..my friend. I was brought up by my grandma..and she was and is everything to me…
you matter ❤
sriram
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