ADOLESCENCE

Its naturalness and reality are sure;

The joys in it and the burdens,

And all the uncertainties we endure,

When every member broadens.

It’s the most subtle of all stages.

With it troubles everywhere abound;

Are full of temptations its pages.

Yes, it tosses our innocence around.

Here is where pleasure is too intense:

Where uncontrolled lust all over engulfs us.

Here is where we lack moral defense;

Where we ride chaotically, worldliness’ bus.

Rebellion, boldness, carelessness!
Impatience, obstinacy, conceit.

Naivety, avidness, shamelessness!

Impetuosity, slackness, deceit.

In this stage, we get filled with all these!

We’re prone to both good and bad.

We take rebuke and tweak with no ease.

We think, the strict parent is mad.

Even so, let us understand, fellow Youths,

The pure imminence of this phase;

Accept, and yield ourselves to saintly use,

And go really slow on the evil pace.

It is high time we stopped wasting time on things

That do not profit us anything better.

Let’s give our lives to Christ and serve Him, since

Without Him our future will be bitter.

ISAAC ESSOUN