In the poem "Seven Ages," Robert Conquest outlines the various stages of human life, illustrating the complex journey from infancy to adulthood. It begins with a newborn who expresses its discomfort through cries and simply needs attention. This phase quickly develops into the challenges of education, where frustration towards formal schooling emerges, indicating the struggles inherent in learning and growth.

As life progresses, the poem captures the transition to adolescence, where individuals begin to explore relationships and confront conflicts, represented by "fucks and fights." This succinctly summarizes the tumultuous emotions and experiences that characterize this dynamic stage of life, highlighting both the intensity of passion and the conflicts that arise during this period of development.