EMBRACED.

I would like to be fitter
So that when illness finds me
It doesn’t bind me
Too tightly
And cannot spread lightly
Its vine,

And older than ever
So if wisdom comes wanting
It’s not disappointed
Too quickly
Or able to trick me
Instead,

And braver than heroes
So that in times of crisis
There’ll be no surprises
Too sudden
And none that I couldn’t
Surmise,

And calmer than peaceful
So when people contest me
They’ll only distress me
A little
And I can make quicker
My rest.