Sevenling (At twenty)
At twenty, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life; at thirty, I was excited to pursue my dreams; at forty, I felt broken. At twenty, I was studying engineering in college; at thirty, I was studying Torah in Israel; at forty, I studied my belly button. Fifty? A crapshoot.
Sevenling
- Lines one to three should contain three connected or contrasting statements, or a list of three details, names or possibilities. This can take up all of the three lines or be contained anywhere within them.
- Lines four to six should similarly have three elements (statements, details, names, or possibilities) connected directly or indirectly or not at all.
- The 7th line should act as a narrative summary or punchline or an unusual juxtaposition.
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
LOL! The forties and the fifties have much potential. A very funny one, David. ๐
๐ Terveen ๐
At retirement, youโre twenty again, except that you can set goals based on a lifetime of experience. Your major life decisions are behind you. โWhat do I want to be when I grow up?โ โWhere do I want to go to college?โ โWho will I marry?โ โWhere will we live?โ โHow can I prepare this child for their own major life decisions?โ At retirement, you are free to work on your bucket list and enjoy your grandchildren, if you have any. (I donโt.) โWhat legacy can I leave behind?โ
David, I enjoyed this poem immensely. The sevenling seems like a form I would like to try. It was wonderful to learn more about the stages of your life so far. I hope the coming years of your life are joyous and fulfilling! โค
๐ Cheryl ๐
Brilliantly observed ๐๐๐โค
๐ D. A. ๐
50 should be fun, David! All that navel gazing will yield some excellent derivations! ๐
Love this. ๐โค๏ธ
๐ Punam ๐
Beautiful post, David! โค
I too am clueless on what to do ahead in life..
๐งก Komaljeet ๐งก
Happy Birthday(?)
At 70, they all blur together, so don’t get too worked up about it. (K)
nah – it’s not my birthday, and 50’s still a way’s away… I’m just navel-gazing here ๐
So relatable , David. Love it.๐
โค ๐ Grace โค ๐ ~ thanks!
My pleasure, David ๐
A wonderful post David! I’m in my 20s and just as you said I have no idea what I want. So this is relatable๐โจ๐๐ผ
๐ Deeksha ๐ ~ thanks! I wish you luck in figuring it out…. I’m still in the process ๐
-David
Wishes for both of us then๐โจ
๐คช Probably for most of humankind, if we’re being honest!
Lol! Thatโs true๐๐
Don’t matter what you call it, eminently readable and precisely nails it. Good one.
๐ช๐๐ป Espie ๐ช๐๐ป
50 was a golden year โ I shed expectations and found life to be wonderful! And so it goes in a circular course from youth of body to youth of mind recovered!
๐ค Muri ๐ค
I liked this one
๐๐ JYP ๐๐
Awesome! How time changes perspective from far to near. Excellent work David!
๐ค๐ Suzette ๐ค๐