In our youth

we are carefree

fearless and

also stupid

 

when young

we take risks

we make excuses

we think there are

no consequences

 

we play with matches

we play in the street

we play with our youth

as if it will last forever

 

but as we mature

we discover ourselves and

learn from our experiences

 

we straighten out

we round the curve

we cross bridges and

get to the other side

 

later we marvel

that we lived through it all

and thank our lucky stars

that we survived

 

we evaluate

we reminisce

we wonder how

we lived through it all

then come to this conclusion

 

that the recklessness of youth

can be overcome

and stupidity is curable.