Cruel Lessons

Cruel Lessons I shudder when I ponder on my youth Of careless choices made in haughty haste-- Forgotten pals that had no use for truth But gloried in their greed and disregarded waste. There is no way to rectify my thoughtless sin No way undo the heartless words I often spoke-- Admittance of my vice may sway a younger kin Avoid the road, avoid the booze or toke-- But life demands each youth to learn thru pain Which prances through our secret longing dreams-- Thus caution kindly meant is lost in vain Youth encaptured by tech-no dramatic schemes— We’ve forgotten how to speak our hearts Although, at times, we do our best Invite young friends to have a meal-- But cannot find our techno guests So lost without a phone-- Dodge looking eye to eye-- Our guests are living in a “Zone”-- The moment to advise has passed us b.y How cruel it is to face the painful fact There is no relief of dark despair Each one of us cannot turn back-- Must learn from life—but try advice to share. V Anderson-Throop 2013 ©