The panic of growing older by Lenrie Peter

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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 expectsit 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.