THE POEM ''The panic of growing older.'' - SS1 Literature Lesson Note

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.