"Youths," A Poetry Post

Youths go all the way to the edge of the cliff to
peer over for the rush of almost falling.

Youths dip their toes into ten-foot water knowing
they can't swim or wade in three feet.

Youths swear aloud in delicate situations.

Youths puts their hands over the flame to prove
they're old enough to
handle the heat.

Youths drive fast around the curves.

Youths believe they can
use the cover of darkness to
hide and exercise their
secret motives and passions.

Youths think that endings can be forced.

Youths do not consider the
entirety of the consequences
surrounding their actions.

Youths make excuses.

Youths,
as a result of their youth,
wedge themselves stuck tight
into situations they
cannot escape.

Youths dig pits to fall into.

They drown in,
pummel through,
burn up buried under
the tinder of
so many temporary
bits of foolishness.

We,
the adults,
are so wanting to be young.

They,
so wanting to grown,
will never live
to be old.

-T. D. James-Moss