To the Elders

<Vindictive, I know. Hence this disclaimer, the absence of which would be a grave disservice to the many, many 'elders' who believe in letting the youth make their own mistakes: this one's aimed at a certain group of parents, teachers and lawmakers who see today's youth as mere instruments>

Do not dare to sanctify

The dirt beneath your fingernails.

You claim that it's from years of trying

To prise open the heavy doors of opportunity

For the young ones.

But no; we see the truth:

It's from trying to dig up

Your own dead and decayed dreams

From their ancient graves,
All bearing a single epitaph:
"It's all for your own good"