Discrepant Awareness Alex Fleck

“Shame and anxiety had marked Bill’s face. Already the skin was pouched and creased. If this was how he looked at twenty-five, at fifty he would bear a face pleated like the tunic of a Roman Senator. Asleep, he appeared younger. But asleep his eyes, which justified the wreck of his face, counted for nothing.”
                                                   -David Benedictus, Floating Down to Camelot

I read this passage on the bus today and wanted to share.
It sounded familiar.
In other words, I’m twenty-five and I feel old.

That’s not a bad thing though. I’m kind of excited about the record of events as they’ve engraved themselves on my face. That process feels honest.
It makes me think of another, more optimistic passage.

“Little worse for wear, but I’m wearin’ it well.”
                                                                                -Beck, “Elevator Music”