The Panic of Growing Older by Lenrie Peters

The panic
of growing older
spreads fluttering winds
from year to year

At twenty
stilled by hope
of gigantic success
time and exploration

At thirty
a sudden throb of
pain. Laboratory tests
have nothing to show

Legs cribbed
in domesticity allow
no sudden leaps
at the noon now

Copybook bisected
with red ink
and failures-
nothing to show the world

Three children perhaps
the world expects
it of you. No
specialist’s effort there.

But science gives hope
of twice three score
and ten. Hope
is not a grain of sand.

Inner satisfaction
dwindles in sharp
blades of expectation.
From now on the world has you.

Lenrie PetersLenrie Leopold Wilfred Peters was a Gambian surgeon, educationist, novelist and poet. He wasborn on 1st September, 1932 and died on 28th May, 2009. May his soul rest in peace.