Trevor Houchen Poet Free verse

Milestone

they say age is just a number.
it was-but now, it's not. 
it has become, an adversary. 
something to be avoided-at all cost. 
7, 8, 9, 10---these were friends i looked forward to meeting. later-
18, 19, 20, 21, these were  goals, i looked forward to, accomplishing. then-
27, 28, 29, 30-these were achievements i enjoyed, accomplishing. 
-now, there's 40. looming, smirking, menacing. 
arms crossed-fearful and stern just above the horizon. 
40-The Great Divide. 
YOuth-a distant memory, old age beckoning. 
WHoever said age is just a number, 
had not, yet-met-40.

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Sara Kendrick November 30, 2025 at 7:08 AM Ahh!! I hope that you reach the 40th one and live to see many more. Life is nifty after fifty and sixty brings so many more freedoms to enjoy. Congratulations on your delightful work being featured on homepage. Way to go. Sara K

Crystol Woods April 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM This is so relatable! So well written! Xo

Anna Hopper April 3, 2025 at 3:33 PM I just turned 40 and I am thoroughly offended! lol! I’m just kidding! I feel your pain. Great write!

Kathleen Hassall August 21, 2024 at 7:02 AM I really like this one. The last two lines are very true! I just hit 55, so I met 40 a while ago! Nice poem!

Nash Maramba December 10, 2023 at 12:03 AM You nailed, a clean write

Beata Agustin December 6, 2023 at 6:32 AM Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.

Gary Radice June 4, 2023 at 3:40 AM Trevor, take it from this 61 year old, 40 is the new 39 :) cheers - Gary

Tom Wright June 3, 2023 at 2:25 PM Treavor, I feel the same way about nearing my near mid eighties. But God Is good. Tom

Gu Jendayi December 10, 2022 at 4:59 AM Our elders are so miserable LOL! Old is the goal!!! What are you supposed to be a child forever? The amount of people who talk down on their 30s is ridiculous. Im at the end of 20s and Im looking forward to Older. The issue is Maturity doesn't come coupled with age. In America Youth is praised due to Pedophilia culture. In Africa - Age is praised due to Wisdom. Hope you all find your way back home XXGu

Mahtab Bangalee December 7, 2022 at 10:01 PM age is just a frame of every existent things but the time has no existence and it's forever!

Daisy Meadows September 3, 2022 at 11:12 PM Time does go too fast and the years fly by. A good poem. Well written.

Kim Rodrigues June 9, 2022 at 8:22 AM Oh wait until you meet 60! Still I had a happy celebration and still had both parents. The following year my mom died. Then you see what age has in store. Still enjoy your forties and fifties…heck all of life! I love how you wrote this!

Osayande Osaghae March 17, 2022 at 1:11 AM "WHoever said age is just a number, had not, yet-met-40." ahhhhh.. heartfelt!

Yusuf Khalid December 25, 2021 at 10:40 AM Very interesting! Thought provocking

Umeikia Whiting October 9, 2021 at 7:50 AM I love your poem I understand what you mean

Weston Gregory July 21, 2021 at 10:18 AM a nice distinction, our final brooding age, pensive piece. nice write.

Krish Radhakrishna April 24, 2021 at 1:25 PM I loved every decade! 40 is not old at all!! I had a great time when I was 40. 50 was good too! 60 doing great and I am not worried about the next two decades! enjoy life my friend!! Gu Jendayi December 10, 2022 at 5:00 AM Yessss Krish! Yes Yes Yes!!!!

Peter Rees April 24, 2021 at 10:16 AM Wow, if that’s a problem, you should try 80 !

Sarah Wachira April 21, 2021 at 11:10 AM Let alone 40, twenty (20) is unbearable too haha

Virginia Gelok April 21, 2021 at 8:26 AM This is 2021 now but I sure can relate, except I found 40 to be the best time in my life. 50 and up were my dreads. got through most of it but wish I could go back to 40. Thankyou, I enjoyed this poetry.

Panagiota Romios August 29, 2020 at 5:57 PM Let's trade ages...youngster!)) Panagiota xx

Debbie Duncan April 25, 2017 at 12:32 AM This is a very good poem about age. I'm 61 :)

Lakshmi K.S. March 10, 2017 at 6:10 AM This one is really good.... I can completely relate to your poem!!!!

Lakshmi K.S. March 10, 2017 at 6:09 AM This one is really good.... I can completely relate to your poem!!!!

Old Buck February 1, 2017 at 1:05 PM Trevor: As I read your piece, I tried to remember what being 40 was like. :o) For some of us on the Soup, that may have been some time ago. Thank you for the wonderful write. Sorry I was so long in getting to read it. Thanks for sharing with all of us on the Soup. Will look forward to seeing more in the future. oldbuck

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