You'Re Only As Mature As You Are Poem by Glen Martin Fitch

It's not enough
to learn from each mistake.
We grow up being
someone else's test
to see how we react
when teased or stressed or hit.
We learn to lie
for our own sake.
But on the social stage
we play our part
and strive to act adult
at every age.
We feed our grievances
and nurture rage
and try to hide
our bitter, battered heart.
Yet at the table
for a family feast
we eye a parent,
adult child or sib,
an ex (or should be)
till the age old fib won't hold.
Out roars our inner beast.
The napkins fly
at those we most despise,
confronting liars
to protect our lies.