"Glaringly Apparent"

I put my new glasses high up on a shelf
After getting a really good look at myself
The crows feet and wrinkles I could never see
Are now glaringly apparent. Oh, woe is me!

     I am really diligent about seeing my optometrist annually after a scare I had a some years back.  The year after my divorce, I made a much needed, overdue appointment to have my eyes checked.  After having this done over many years, I knew what to expect.  So when the doctor was lingering while inspecting my eyes with that super bright flashlight of his, I knew there was a problem.  He indicated that I have a condition that could cause blindness.  He also indicated that, 35 years ago, blindness probably would have been the end result.  But thanks to medical advances, I had a procedure that will prevent it from happening.  (That's one aspect of modern technology that I can appreciate.)

     Ever since that incident, I never fail to see the optometrist on an annual basis, usually at year end. About a month ago, I got new glasses, as is evident in my updated photo.  The doctor had indicated that my prescription hadn't changed that much over the course of the last year.  He was wrong!  Thanks to the new prescription lenses, I have discovered that there are lines on my face and creases in my eyelids, and, horror of horrors, crows feet, that I never new existed on what I mistakenly deemed to be my still somewhat youthful appearing mug. (I know-that was laughable!  Moreover, there is a reason why they say ignorance is bliss!)  Oh I knew that my cheeks had fallen down (when you have full round cheeks in your youth, there is only on place for them to go).  I know my bones are getting creaky and my memory at times is sketchy, but the eyes, oh, the eyes were a real shocker.  Planning ahead,  instead of transition lenses, I think next time I will invest in full blown tinted lenses.  They were stylish years ago.  Like everything else, they are sure to make a comeback.  They can serve as another aid to my age related state of denial.