234.  REFLECTIONS ON MY BIRTHDAY I forgot the pot of mums they gave me so Billy dropped it off   along with an old Cool Whip container crammed with leftover party goodies: tiny cream puffs and   three different kinds of cheesecake wrapped in ruffled papers   so they won't stick together. From my chair on the porch   I watch thin rain drizzle down, a cube of raspberry cheesecake and mug of tea on the ledge next to me. I reflect on the day and my party, remember other birthdays. Then I think about next year, a major milestone. I refuse to be thought of as used up or irrelevant.  I want to age with grace, to own my wisdom and embrace new challenges. I'm more aware of my mortality now, there's a sense of urgency to do all the things I want to accomplish. Age doesn't make someone  less interesting. Wrinkles matter. They're the patina of a long life.  I don't know  what comes next.  I just know  this isn't an ending. I'm still here, I'm s...

232.  NOTHING IS FOREVER She sets out a vase of spiky pink coneflowers while Judy Collins croons "Forever Young." Nothing lasts, she thinks,  especially not youth. Her life passing, the days rush forward  too swiftly to stop. She wonders how   she has come to be here, at this place in time. Much later, lonely in the silent night, she reaches for her husband's hand, listens to his soft, muffled breathing, soothing like a lullaby. She dreams of babies who are grown, as the cold darkness lays down beside her. *comments welcome.

231.  Infinite summer, each day offers the promise of time stretching out *comments welcome

Prompt for Day 23 I've taken just a wee bit of liberty with this prompt. I've written a poem in which I've paired things that don't usually go together ... I admit it, I've cracked under the RWP pressure!!! LIKE TWO SMASHED PEAS IN A POD Pickles and oysters, two parrots named Sue, rainbows and moonbeams and puppies that mew. Pancakes and mustard, gum drops and shampoo, popcorn and mittens and stoves that cuckoo. Sneakers and termites, fish sticks and goose stew, I've written this nonsense, now what shall I do?

 230. Hours pass as seconds, each day offers a promise but so much to do. *comments welcome

 229. Darkness comes sooner the evenings feel different September arrives *comments welcome

 228. Sitting on the porch, she watches the stars come out, one by one by one  *comments welcome