Grown ups
You see the funny thing about grown ups
Is that some are not at all
They’re just as likely to cry and yell
To stomp and crash and fall
You see the thing we think
they all should know
Is how to win at life
To talk the talk
And walk the walk
To rise above the strife
Surely a grown up is the one who knows
The rules of all the games
Leading little’uns with certainty
Using facts from big old brains
See, what makes us believe in grown ups
Is what they told us long ago
based on number after which you’re old
A proper grown up at big 4-0
But just because they’ve lived so long
Doth make them not all wise
A few are inspirational
But most’re good at lies
You hear them talk and spraf hot air
Expert chat everyone believes
Dodging what they can’t do
Bigging up what they’ve achieved
They’re often good at getting things
Words work, handshakes, smiles
Some‘ve got money and what it brings
Storing secret clues in files
And sometimes when their lines been crossed
They yell just like a wean
less likely to roll about the floor
But it’s a tantrum all the same
Yet we have to believe in growing up
Don’t we?
Isn’t that what life’s about?
Going up in age is the answer
To sorting the problems out?
Yet growing up isn’t time dependent
It’s not ticking hands around the clock
It’s not like age alone can help us
live harmoniously on this rock
Growing up isn’t about achievements
Or certificates or knowing it all
not even about having children
Or buying a roof for these 4 walls
It’s about having experiences:
Ones we’re landed in
learning to cope with all our lot
Discovering survival
Taking it on the chin
Some have endured experiences
Even at a tender age
They’re grown up
If they’re curious
Able to evaluate, engage
To seek to share their learnings
With older, younger; no matter
Not assuming that age brings wisdom
Recognising stages, the different chapters
Yes, experiences are what makes a grown up
And learning from mistakes
Coz rising up makes a grown up
not age, nor candles on a cake
Contemporary Poetry: A Snapshot in Time 