Notes About The Poem

Five Perspectives Poetry Contewst sponsored by Margaret Lillico written 4/9/26

Five Fifteen Thirty Fifty

From the womb it seems I birthed into a cocoon
Cant say I had known for sometime I was alive
Much learnt whilst unaware for almost four years
My memories say I'm one calendar says I'm five

Things that seemed important over sixty years ago
The latest shaped shoes or a top ten hit parade song
At fifteen peer pressure shaped how I would behave
Learning to discover where I would eventually belong

No manuals to assist a father raise three young children
Imparting to dependants the way I had been mentored
Dealing with an aggressive workplace, finances and self
At thirty overwhelmed, swearing in this poem is censored

A new century arrived grandfathering is such a blessing
Responsibilities of existence have largely been lightened
Now turned fifty still feeling some traces of distant youth
A positive outlook on life has recently become heightened 

Having reached the age of seventy over eight years ago
As an alternative thinker there is a chance I am outcast
I am far removed from alignment with majority opinion
Rejecting thoughts postulating how much time I might last
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Smith  Avatar
September 4, 2026 at 5:31 PM
A moving eight-decade reflection, shaped with admirable clarity through five measured quatrains. The steady rhyme and conversational narrative give the poem a reassuring structure, while its journey from childhood uncertainty to fatherhood, grandfathering, and independent thought feels honest, humane, and quietly courageous.
bard Avatar
September 5, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Good day Alison your analytical responses amaze me Thank you blessings Douglas😍
Rodgers Avatar
September 4, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Hello Douglas, this is a wonderfully candid, reflective, and fiercely independent journey through eighty years of lived experience. I just hit 7 decades this year. Refusing to be boxed in by majority opinion or dictated to by a calendar's expectations is a magnificent declaration of autonomy. Pushing past seventy-eight with your mind firmly set on living rather than counting down the clock is an inspiring, vital note to land on. A thoughtful, robust, and deeply gratifying piece of work! Blessings, Daniel
bard Avatar
September 4, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Good day Daniel Thank you for your response which I value highly Blessings Douglas
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace