Misplaced

His sweet mind wasn't mine to love.
Too bad I didn't see age for what it was.
I thought I was too pretty then but not pretty enough to count in other ways.
My self involvement got the better of me.
Temporary money wasn't the question.
The confessed friendship short and real.
Reputation didn't matter then, only survival and sanity was the lesser evil.
Along with it.
Yet underlying fear and discomfort could not maintain itself on love.
Now age catches me again but not off guard, but on equal footing. Something to protect. Cherish even. Respect truthfully.
Look in the eye and accept as elder to elder.