Getting Old

[96] 花さそふ Hana sasou
あらしの庭の Arashi no niwa no
雪ならで Yuki narade
ふりゆくものは furiyuku mono wa
わが身なりけり waga mi nari keri

THIS snow is not from blossoms white
Wind-scattered, here and there,
That whiten all my garden paths
And leave the branches bare;
’Tis age that snows my hair!

(Fujiwara no Kintsune, The Hyakunin Isshu)

Having recently celebrated my birthday, I too am finally coming to the realization that I am getting older.