2026 National Poetry Month, Day 10 Adulthood
Original topic subject: 2026 National Poetry Month, Day 10 Childhood
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1DebiCates
American Thomas Hart Benton, "The Boy" 1948 lithograph
NPM 2026, Day 10, Adulthood
What poems might represent "adulthood" to you?
Birth, childhood, then bam! You are 18 and a fully fledged adult. Adulthood is such a long stage and egads, just doing the basic functions of an adult requires so many skills. No wonder we are often exhausted at the end of the day.
Perhaps, though, there are poems and poets that help us cope with all those responsibilities. Poems that provide comfort or a much needed perspective through upheavals and challenges of adulthood. Maybe some even provide mantras, keeping us centered, reminding us what matters most.
I'm finding Billy Collins is doing that for me these days. He's so easy to read, even at the end of a long day. He writes with impish humor and that helps.
Then there's Jane Hirshfield who gives me shelter, a place to recharge heart and soul.
On the other hand, maybe we'll want a poem that will help us see different perspectives about the things that we are ready to outgrow, things that are difficult to deal with but have to be dealt with. The recent Saturday choice, the Frank O'Hara poem was one like that for me. Lots of adulting in it, thinking about war, myths, and human nature. https://www.librarything.com/topic/383381#9169814
As with every post for NPM, you are welcomed to answer the question or also comment with either a poem you've found or with a poem you've written that you think will go with this day's message.
NPM 2026, Day 10, Adulthood
What poems might represent "adulthood" to you?
Birth, childhood, then bam! You are 18 and a fully fledged adult. Adulthood is such a long stage and egads, just doing the basic functions of an adult requires so many skills. No wonder we are often exhausted at the end of the day.
Perhaps, though, there are poems and poets that help us cope with all those responsibilities. Poems that provide comfort or a much needed perspective through upheavals and challenges of adulthood. Maybe some even provide mantras, keeping us centered, reminding us what matters most.
I'm finding Billy Collins is doing that for me these days. He's so easy to read, even at the end of a long day. He writes with impish humor and that helps.
Then there's Jane Hirshfield who gives me shelter, a place to recharge heart and soul.
On the other hand, maybe we'll want a poem that will help us see different perspectives about the things that we are ready to outgrow, things that are difficult to deal with but have to be dealt with. The recent Saturday choice, the Frank O'Hara poem was one like that for me. Lots of adulting in it, thinking about war, myths, and human nature. https://www.librarything.com/topic/383381#9169814
As with every post for NPM, you are welcomed to answer the question or also comment with either a poem you've found or with a poem you've written that you think will go with this day's message.
3DebiCates
>2 hamlet61: I'm sorry that I only just became aware of Billy Collins. And it was through a Youtube suggested video. The algorithm there knows me well.
