“Today's Children”

hildren today are wise beyond their years,
They’ve seen the world and conquered their fears.
No fairy tales can blind their sight,
They judge by truth, not borrowed light.
They don’t believe in what you just say,
They watch your steps your every way.
You preach of truth but act in disguise,
They read that lie behind your eyes.
They know the smile that hides deceit,
They feel the pain beneath your sweet.
Words no longer rule their mind,
It’s your actions that define mankind.
Whatever you show they’ll imitate,
Whatever you hide they’ll recreate.
If falsehood becomes your daily norm,
Then truth in them will lose its form.
If you honor justice in your deed,
They’ll stand for right in every need.
If you earn with honesty and grace,
They’ll never choose a crooked place.
Children don’t listen they see,
Your actions speak their destiny.
Their tender hearts mirror your face,
Your life becomes their learning place.
So listen, O elders of this age!
Correct yourself before you teach or rage.
For when you’re gone, they will remain,
Your ways will echo through their name.
Speak less but live with truth and care,
Show what you wish they’d one day wear.
Then proudly they’ll say with shining eyes:
“We learned humanity from our parents’ lives.”