I stand and stare.

Looking back at me,

A stranger smiles, then frowns.

I do not recognize the man

Who stands before me,

Chiseled lines of Time

Stalk the skin around his eyes

And inscribe his forehead.

Looking through his eyelids

Almost closed from  age

I glimpse a familiar essence.

Inwardly I remain

Forever young,

Forever challenged by illusions,

Tilting at Time

Like the aging knight errant

Who stands before me.