Gray hair is a crown of splendor
                        —Proverbs 16:31

O how I wish that my wife, just once
      would not slip through that bathroom door
            to dye her hair that ungodly brown

O how I wish that my wife, just once
      would let her fallacious hair rinse clear
            allowing her argent age to shine

If only she would, I'd gather each strand
      some threads white as winter rain
            others dark as clear champagne

O how I'd rejoice! My old bones would dance
      eyes delighted to witness my bride
            bare as a prayer in her weary regard

O how I would smile despite her frown
      kneeling arthritic
            before her crown