Almost Forty

Ada Limon

(1976 - )

There's something about turning forty. It's different from turning twenty or thirty. At those earlier marker points there's still a sense of having time to achieve the dreams of youth. At the age of twenty, one is clearly young with most of life still ahead. At thirty, the initial life structures of work and family for many people are either in place or within view. There's still time. But, at forty, for the first time, there is a sense that some options are no longer possible or at least unlikely. For example, few start medical school or law school at forty. The dream to become a professional athlete may at forty be unreachable. Those ships have sailed.

In this poem the birds are alert to something. They are issuing a warning perhaps. A parent is angry and the soup's grown cold. Certain basic comforts seem absent.

A flame of determination flickers in the person turning forty. They want a long life and in good health, too. The poet suggests it's possible IF an effort is made to nourish one another. "We turn up the stove again and eat what we’ve made together, each bite an ordinary weapon we wield against the shrinking of mouths.

Almost Forty

The birds were being so bizarre today,

we stood static and listened to them insane

in their winter shock of sweet gum and ash.

We swallow what we won’t say: Maybe

it’s a warning. Maybe they’re screaming

for us to take cover. Inside, your father

seems angry, and the soup’s grown cold

on the stove. I’ve never been someone

to wish for too much, but now I say,

I want to live a long time. You look up

from your work and nod. Yes, but

in good health. We turn up the stove

again and eat what we’ve made together,

each bite an ordinary weapon we wield

against the shrinking of mouths.

About the poet - Ada Limón (born March 28, 1976) is an American poet.[1] On July 12, 2022, she was named the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States by the Librarian of Congress.[2][3][4] This made her the first Latina to be Poet Laureate of the United States.[5] She is married to Lucas Marquardt.[6]