Conversion (Poetry)

From this grown-dowdy-grey bag-lady ghost
to reinvented retro-hippy chic
with just a touch of goth — the light and shade
to give some depth — try to shy away
from looking like a costume party freak

Can it be subtle? Where to draw the line?
but that’s the point — some lines need to be hid
sculpted, shaved, reduced — delivered fine
by clever choices and a show of taste
to turn the clock — undo
the damage years of sly depression did

What miracles of skincare truly work?
lift and tuck — a knife inside a jar
is there a wig that doesn’t cost the earth?
maybe I’ll chance peroxide bottle-blonde
or henna rinse — at my age doubt insists
it would be dumb so best not go that far

But how far’s a frump prepared to go for vanity?
all the lippy in the world won’t do the trick
it takes planning — dedication — discipline
a whole regime that rules each day — the workout strict
and am I up for it? ... My coffee’s getting cold
the spirit’s willing but, I have to face — the flesh is old