The 21st Century has a Quarter-Life Crisis

My first words were 

“war” and “terror.”

I’m eager to acquire 

new vocabulary.

I wanted to be different 

from my parents

and my parents’ parents. 

It’s not looking good.

Maybe if I was less ambitious.

Maybe if I could just settle 

down. I’m willing to settle.

If only the right

person would come along. 

If only I could be left

alone with my poems. 

Maybe I'll get a tattoo. 

I'm losing the thread

of the metaphor

which is in keeping 

with the thread

of the metaphor. 

For now I'm going to cross 

my fingers and hope

I make it to forty.

Thanks everyone! This was rewarding and challenging. Hang in there for the rest of 2025