POEM: On calculating the ‘sum’ of one’s life
July 8, 2026
By Sue Shaw
Welcome to your 80s
If you took what we knew at 20,
And multiplied that by 4,
Would that be the sum of what we know now?
Would that give you our score?
From the time when we knew ABSOLUTELY
Everything that was worth knowing,
To the time when we know that, in fact, we don’t…
And we fear that lack is showing…
What was the equation that got us
From way back then to now?
Follow along, mathematicians,
And let me tell you how
To get from 20 to 80—
It’s a lesson in endurance—
Although even with the answer,
There's still not any insurance
That you can master the mathematics…
The division and algebraic table…
So follow along and take copious notes
As carefully as you are able!
If you take the Limited Knowledge
That we have at 20 times 4,
Then we multiply, divide and add
And come up with a score!
Book Learning has to be counted
But then added to that list
Is Awareness, Maturity and Cleverness, too
And plain Wisdom can’t be missed!
Common Sense, of course, is an absolute must
It simply can’t be over-rated.
No matter how young or old you are…
It’s a brain skill that cannot be dated!
Add Resiliency and Perception…
Then divide and add again…
Include Image and Appearance
Although when you turn 80’s when
What something looks like isn’t the key—
Now it’s not the sight…
It’s whether or not that part still moves…
And if it still works right!
Then get your calculator
And look back through the years
You’ll find it interesting and fun
As you sort through laughter and tears.
Our Life Experiences ricocheted
As we bounced along our trail,
But we always came back to the center…
Our compass never did fail!
The decades were all like stepping stones
That led us down our path…
Through this odd equation
This octogenarian math!
Now you've arrived...Congratulations!
—Poet Sue Shaw was recently talking with a friend who was turning 80. The two came up with a question: "Was what we are at 80 simply what we were at 20 times 4?" Shaw calls it “octogenarian math” – and you can try to calculate it for yourself if you follow along in the poem below. Shaw lives and writes in Penobscot.
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