Time will tell …

Aug 1

“Wrinkles on my face, a map of my journey
Lines that tell the story of laughter, tears, and surrender
A topography of time, etched on my skin
A testament to the life I've lived, the love I've given
Wrinkles on my hands, a testament to my hard work
A legacy of labor, of trials and of perks
A reminder of the struggles, the triumphs and the strife
A badge of honor, worn with pride and life
Wrinkles on my heart, a reflection of my soul
A patina of wisdom, earned through trials whole
A softening of the edges, a mellowing of the mind
A gentle whisper of experience, left behind
Wrinkles are not flaws, but features of my grace
A sign of a life well-lived, a story to be told in this place
So let them deepen, let them multiply
For they are the wrinkles of a life that has lived, loved and thrived.”

This venerable buddhist monk kindly allowed me to take his portrait, capturing the intricate, interwoven lines of his life. It is a moment in time. A solitude surrounded by so many past lives. A moment that celebrates longevity, but also belies the tragedy befalling the elderly in his home country of Burma (now Myanmar).

I had hoped that fragile peace that had descended over this land while I travelled here some years ago would last. Sadly it has not and a violent and oppressive - some might say inhuman - regime now grips much of the country and terrorises with brutal authoritarianism. Older persons in Myanmar are caught in a terrible cycle of targeted violence and arbitrary detention. They are not incidental victims but are being deliberately singled out - be it for perceived political affiliations or simple their inherent vulnerabilities making them easy targets. Mobility issues, health conditions, and cultural ties make them unable or unwilling to flee - where would / could they go? - turning them into prime targets for military persecution ... or worse.

There are many able bodies at work tirelessly seeking to stop this, report on this, reverse this, eradicate this. I hope my voice today and any day when this post is read, adds some small call and influence for change.

#InternationalDayofOlderPersons | 01.08.2025

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Time will tell …

Older persons in Myanmar are caught in a terrible cycle of targeted violence and arbitrary detention. They are not incidental victims but are being deliberately singled out - be it for perceived political affiliations or simple their inherent vulnerabilities making them easy targets. Mobility issues, health conditions, and cultural ties make them unable or unwilling to flee - where would / could they go? - turning them into prime targets for military persecution ... or worse…

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