A TEENAGER’S LAMENT

The concerns of knowing that one is a teenager; not a kid and not yet an adult.

By Stanley Collymore

 

It’s a difficult situation being a teenager,

and realising adults don’t understand

that we, the young bloods, have all

the answers to the problems

which, for ages, have

plagued man.

 

It’s a thankless task too to be a teenager,

knowing full well that no grown-up

will admit it’s they who’re actually

the problem; a fact they

conveniently forget.

 

It’s a maddening thing being a teenager;

all fired up with ideas that could be

the redemption of this quarrelsome

world which we live in; yet

never the light of day see.

 

It’s utterly frustrating being a teenager,

to be classed as inexperienced, then

marginalised; but whenever it’s

convenient for adults,

suddenly expected to be

responsible and wise.

 

It’s quite sickening really to be a

teenager and always being told

what to do; never mind what

you think of the instructions

or if they’re any good,

whatsoever, to you.

 

It’s amazing what’s done to us teenagers

each day of every year, without fail;

the kind of abuse which if inflicted

on animals, would land the

same culprits in jail.

 

Where’s the fun then in being a teenager,

with no idea of just who you are?

for we’re definitely not

considered to be adults; yet -

we’re no longer naive

children by far.

 

So I’ll keep my head down and bide

my time although I’ll never relent

on fighting the just cause of the

hard-pressed teenager - until

I’m myself a parent!

 

ã Stanley V. Collymore,

10 November 1997.