OUR GENERATION

Is this the future?

Age 13 –convicted of Robbery he said

We used to be friends

Then his girl became my girl

And he started acting funny

Called me a prick

I didn’t get why he was so angry

But I know no one disrespects me

So to pay him back, I decided, I’ll rob him.

I can still see the milk in this boy’s face

As he recounted exploits that made my head race

I remember the look on his mother‘s face

When speaking of his victim, he said he shouldn’t get upset over a gyal, there are bare girls everywhere,

I can have whoever I want; it’s JUST a girl innit

Flanked by his mother on one side and his sister on the other

This little boy convinced of his manhood

Could not fathom the disrespect in treating their femininity as a commodity

He demanded respect in the same breath as he abused it

Failing to see that his concept of it was a falsehood

And BESIDES, to properly arrive at manhood

You had to allow room for childhood

But can I blame him,

When clearly someone reneged on fatherhood

Is this our future?

Age 14 – convicted of Assault

He called me an Irish ginger cunt

And I can’t take kindly to insults or people disrespecting me

So I set him on fire

No I don’t find that dire

I have no problems with anger

It provoked much laughter

He got what he deserved

Messing with a gangster

I was meant to ask probing questions

Speak words of wisdom

Provoke targeted self searching

But momentarily dumbfounded and sitting silently I wondered

When did a good punch up become outdated?

Setting someone alight or stabbing them up become highly rated

And any opportunity for common sense become frustrated

By egos too big for the bodies that they weigh down

Maybe it’s the age creeping up on me

Or maybe it just is what it is

But when I consider the exploits of this generation

Wonder dumbfounds me into hopelessness

As I ponder what aspect of apparent stupidity

Beguiles with such intensity

That they are converted to a religion

That promises only jail or death.

I ponder with every passing breath

Till Perspective breaks into my thoughts to remind me

This is the plague of humanity

Always in pursuit of an exaggerated sense of importance

We chase celebrity

Trying to be or be with the mighty

The young come in tow with errant individuality

Acting tough but betraying delicate sensitivity

Watching and copying as we devoid respect of its mutuality

Chasing misplaced goals with myopic intensity

Seeking contentment through the lenses of a world that never has enough

We make a mockery of our freedom

As though calling God’s bluff

So is it really a surprise

This proclivity for criminality

When looking all around

Our standards denote nothing but futility

If this is not to be our future

Then there must be a re-education

That takes foundation in you and me

Spreading its roots till it gains proliferation

In the youth of our generation

Infecting humanity with the disease of true liberation

So that understanding our equality

We strive for true community

so looking at the next generation

There won’t be a question

It will be just be statement

Affirmed with pride

As we say:  THIS IS OUR FUTURE

©Tolulola Agbelusi 2012