Kids these days are entitled
You say with a sneer
Disdain dripping
from words you don’t understand
Words you use disparagingly
While they water a seed of hope in me
Because truth be told
on the core words
We don’t disagree
Kids these days are entitled
To more than just unconditional love
Wrapped up in bows of guilt
A gift meant to be returned
No matter the cost
Unconditionally grateful
(for a life they didn’t request)
Kids these days are entitled
To be heard as well as seen
To a voice that doesn’t waiver at the thought
of speaking their truth
Of disappointing the powers that be
By finally standing up and saying
Listen
This is me
Kids these days are entitled
To safety, care and love
Even through the uncomfortable emotions
that you want to quash
As they bubble to the surface
Surfacing your own
They are, in fact, entitled
not to face those things alone
Kids these days are entitled
To be people deserving of respect
Not just an extension
of the adults who feel entitled
to the kids they can no longer control
To make themselves feel whole
With a life they deem a gift
Bestowed
A gift
(with a balance always owed)
Kids these days are entitled
To grow, develop and learn
To become people who don’t feel entitled
To the respect of their children
By providing the bare minimum
Allowing them to exist
In a society that provides far less
than our kids are entitled to
If you enjoyed this piece, please follow J.J. Hale on Twitter @overthinkerjess.