worry lines

i spend a lot of time worrying.
about disappearing bees.
about melting ice.
about old men who are punched in the face
as people stand idly by.
about newscasters who draw comparisons
to hollywood scenes.

and i worry that i haven't grown at all
from the kid who stole that green plastic ring
from her best friend in first grade
and said unforgiveable things.
that i've gotten meaner and harder
instead of kinder and wiser.

i worry about my receding gums
and becoming a hunchback with white hair
and of all these worries
adding to the worry lines on my face.
and most of all, i worry that things will stay the same.
instead of getting better.