Polaroid Life

For the teens

Take social media, drink and drugs, friends and lovers,
Become high on modern living, binge on the company of others,
Act wild and think you're free of that adult social responsibility.
Take an upper of illusion, disenfranchisement, anger at government.
Listen to the crackpots, the conspiracy theories, build for yourself an opinion,
On all things, plant a tree with a trunk of fact and truth leaves.
Don't listen to those that say "this is how you should live",
These years are for experience, exploring, connecting and imploring,
For short questions with long answers by friends and strangers.
Given on the ground, in baths and showers, behind sheds in the moonlight hours.
In groups or with one, inside from the rain or outside with the sun,
Given freely or with the help of some liquid fun.
When the day comes and your elders tap your shoulder and say "come with me"
Come down gently.

Do not let go of the moments you have lived in the stupor of these years.
These were the most important of lessons, impressions and fears.
You were a student and a teacher, of life and love.
You discovered the bad movies, the new music and the best way to give a hug,
To those friends you met outside, pissed off your head drinking wine from a mug.
These years are a roller coaster crafted from that learning curve your mum is always going on about. She's right.
When you get to the end, collect your pictures of you in full flight,
Head thrown back, manic expression, friends side by side, scared for your life.
Hang it somewhere, a reminder of your survival.
A life in Poloroid.