Seven in sixty-three

I’ve followed the series “7 Up” since I was 21, when the participants had reached that age themselves, fascinated by their life stories and comparing them to my own. There has been a lot of discussion on social media now that the series has finished, but I haven’t yet found a poem dedicated to these equally kind and intelligent people from a range of backgrounds. Here’s mine.

 Seven in sixty-three

Horse-mad Tony, who thought rich children “nuts”

Sensitive Bruce, father far overseas

Farmer’s son Nick, who was studying the moon

East-ender Lynn, skirt high above her knees

Well-spoken John, who was fair to a bear

Neil with his skip and a need to explore

Paul from the home, who refused to eat greens

Hopes dashes, dreams fulfilled, and two are no more.