They say, in the most winsome way
Once a woman achieves a half century 
She no longer cares what others say
These thoughts of others barely acknowledged 
A fine static disturbing 
Her favourite radio channel

A foolish man might call it selfish 
To tune in only to what one wants
At expense of all else
When actually, she has simply taken
A leaf from his book. 

At long last.

While such empowerment prevents
A woman from becoming entangled
In ill-tempered opinion against 
On the other side of the coin
It dawns on me suddenly 
That neither does she care
For the many thousand loving thoughts
Drifting upon her shore
By my tide of grief

I am the sea
Were it to show its force
It would swallow mountains whole 
Instead it is buried deep
Illuminated by strange 
Iridescent sea creatures 
Who lie in wait
Silently