Edward Ibeh Poet Didactic

Avoiding Peer Pressure

blazing hot like cayenne pepper,
especially in adolescent years,
malleable youths
bend and capitulate
to peer pressure;
 grown folks take the bait, too.
it could be a simple
"try this like the rest of us cool kids!"
or just an effortless nudge of
"you're missing out!"
to descend
an impressionable youngster

down
          down
                     down

the rabbit hole 
of insidious seduction.
the benefits of peer pressure are there,
though few and far between.
It's challenging for a lone hold-out
to resist the temptation 
of wading in deep into 
the muddy waters of coercion
when all his "cool kids" buddies
have crossed over 
to the dark side.
no matter your relationship
with anyone forcing you to try 
or do anything that goes against 
your belief system,
your moral code, say no
if you feel even a tad uncomfortable!
refuse to go down
the primrose path of uncertainty.
don't allow yourself to be
handcuffed, or guilt-tripped
into walking down the road to regret.
It's best to abandon ship, 
or better yet, don't board
if any proposition feels false.



Date written: 11/20/2022

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Vijay Pandit November 20, 2022 at 11:43 AM Youths are easily lured into bad habits. Great advice, Edward. It is hard for them to resist, hopefully their upbringing will steer them right. Edward Ibeh November 20, 2022 at 11:57 AM Thank you, Vijay:-) I echo your sentiments.