Poem 5–We are 50 by Yeo See Peng (2016)

I wrote this poem when I turned 50 years old in 2016 in Perth. Please enjoy reading it.

We are 50

We are 50.

It’s not the peak of life

But a base camp in the everest of strive.

It’s not a glass half empty

But a glass half full,

Celebrating a life that can be full.

We are 50.

We’re born in a time when there’re more kids than parents,

More mouths than food, and more charcoal than electric current.

Now we live in a time when there’re more parents than kids,

More food than mouths, and more electric current than charcoal;

Wondering a life that’s fifty-fold.

We are 50.

We grew up surrounded by caring families,

Firmly rooted in the country, and believed in our own abilities.

Now we are the head of loving families,

Loosely based in the world, which recognises our superior capabilities;

Living a life with fair opportunities.

We are 50.

It’s a journey not a destination,

And it’s the foundation to greater achievements.

The last 50 is the first,

And the next 50 will be the second, and last;

So let’s celebrate the first and treasure the last….

#Yeo See Peng