youth – The Daily Writing of Jackie Wright

The glitz and the glamour are ruining our youth –

Too much lipstick, too short of a skirt,

The heels are too high, the words are too brute.

You can’t be book smart if you’re also a flirt.

The anarchism is teasing their brain.

No politics for teens! Stay in your lane.

Shut it, what do you know about pain?

Let’s all follow The Dream and stay insane.

The information is spreading too fast –

When I was twenty, I had a blast.

Now they’re opposing. Who even asked?!

When opinions are given, theirs should go last.

(The reality is changing them too early.

Time is running out, most of them aren’t treated fairly.

But you would rather look away than answer sincerely?

When you claim the youth is pampered, I would say – barely.)

-JW

Defamation is the strong suit of many, sadly – so is temptation.

I don’t share paths with these well-intentioned people, I’m creating my own narration.

The youth is neither rotten nor broken – it’s just caught up in the middle of a mess,

Facing trauma since the day we were walking. We’re used to loving distress.

Tiny spaces in shady places are often the only locations where we feel free to chafe –

But lads in their forties are trying to convince us that they crave the young blood and they love the chase.

I’m begging them to stop walking over the half-done graves before the benediction

But no one seems to drop the addiction to filth, and they won’t change the conviction.

It’s quite poignant how my presence causes people to prejudge my affairs

As it was decided centuries ago that I must only speak when nobody cares.

A few steps away they will sell my ideas for less than is legal – or even hand them out for free.

And who will be the first taker? A priest or a scumbag, or just another devotee?

The night is careless to those who reluctantly swim in its empty commitments

Because the ones who only live for the dark will hardly make a fair acquitment.

Dedication is the strong suit of a few, luckily – so is persistence.

I do split roads with many who are lost. Only those who run blindly at times will manage to make a difference.

-JW