When We Were Young… Poem by C Richard Miles

When we were young, we climbed on walls
And scaled the splashing waterfalls
But in these days, the kids are bores
And watch TV and stay indoors.

When we were young, we had nicknames
And joined in all the playground games
But in these days, you mustn’t call
Each other by such names at all.

When we were young, we dammed up becks
And, climbing trees, we risked our necks
But in these days, they must have care
And taking risks they never dare.

When we were young, we scraped our knees,
Were stung by nettles, wasps and bees.
But in these days, they pass them by,
For allergies might make them die.

When we were young, we kept amused
With our imagination’s muse
But in these days, they make themselves
Content with videos off the shelves.

When we were young, as good as gold,
We just did as we were told
But in these days, they question you
And you must take their point of view.

When we were young, our honesty
Was tendered with sincerity
But in these days, the devious youth
Are prone to lie and bend the truth.

When we were young, if we were rude
We’d get a slap and miss our food
But in these days, the kids might sue
If you point out they’re cursing you.

When we were young, we made a mess
And hadn’t any time for stress
But in these days, tense children cram
Their heads with facts for the exam.

When we were young, we jumped and skipped
And in the muddy river dipped
But in these days, each infant learns
That open water harbours germs.

When we were young, we chewed the grass
And played kiss-chase with many a lass
But in these days, they miss out these
In case they catch a bad disease.

When we were young, we made mud pies
And didn’t mind the dirt and flies
But in these days, they turn away
Since hygiene rules must win the day.

When we were young, we gorged ourselves
On sweets and toffee off the shelves
But in these days, it is a sin
If you don’t diet and keep thin.

When we were young, we’d kick a ball
Against the neighbour’s backyard wall
But in these days, they daren’t go out
In case the neighbours scream and shout.

When we were young, we’d walk for miles
Just on our own, climb over stiles
But in these days, in all the land
Children must hold their parent’s hand.

When we were young, to catch a fish
Was every youngster’s ardent wish
But in these days, it’s deemed too cruel
To net some tiddlers from the pool.

When we were young, we rode and sped
On bikes, with unprotected heads
But in these days, they must appear
In every kind of safety gear.

When we were young, to join a gang
Was just some fun, a childish plan
But in these days, gangs threaten lives
And carry dangerous guns and knives.

When we were young, aged nine or ten
With bits of wood we’d build a den
But in these days, dens would face bans
Since councils wouldn’t pass the plans.

When we were young, a conker fight
Was every Autumn’s cherished rite
But in these days, conkers might cause
An injury and break some laws.

When we were young, life had no fears,
We saw no danger, all those years
But in these days, it is there
For modern children everywhere.