Letter to Violent Youth

A poetic address to my younger self

You were raised, once, 
To believe, with faith in yourself;

Recognise your talents, 
Hone your skills, 
Let the light within you shine through,

But you put undue worth 
On what you once saw in the mirror; 
A cute litte twink, glint in the eye, 
Crying out for all the attention.

In the raging war that is our youth 
The Battle of Being hurts all, 
With every gun blast, to wound those in sight, 
Not a single soul escapes sin.

Never delude yourself, young man, 
That you’ll tell all a hero’s tale; 
You used your sword as a makeshift shield, 
Your words, an assassin’s cyanide.

You didn’t escape unhurt, of course, 
Your pain lives on, like a limp, 
But know that all left the battlefield so, 
Forgive all, as you learn to grow.

-

Cork - November 16, 2018 
Translated from the Irish Gaelic version, Litir Chuig an mBodach �"g

Reviews

[Nipplegrinder]

Poignant presentation. Feeling karma in this, a bit.

[Scott De Buitléir]

Thank you - you're not wrong, I've felt karma in some ways, but more a byproduct of growing up and realising that I was not 'all that'. Something we all have to do, I suppose.