Introduction to the Poem “The Panic of Growing Older” by Lenrie Peters

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.