Childhood - The 21st Century Poem by Ernestine Northover
Childhood - The 21st Century
How advanced they are, these children of the future,
Like small adults, within their tiny frames,
They grow up in a fast 'speed driven' culture,
Where 'learning pressures' change their kind of games,
Where is their childhood, in all this hurly burly,
Where is their pure untainted view of things,
Why do they have to grow so old, so early,
And lose the joy that only childhood brings.
Our childhood was filled with thoughts of joy and gladness,
We lived our lives, oblivious to the world
And all the hardships, wars, the grief and sadness,
We stood, waiting for our lives to be unfurled.
We had time to grow, and gain an understanding,
Of each new phase, each change along the way,
As we grew slowly, our senses all expanding,
So with clarity, we slowly changed our play.
We had a framework on which to build and flourish,
Slow and steady, this was no rushed affair,
Taking each step, then step by step to nourish,
Our childhood, so finally adulthood we would share.
What will become, of these 'New Century' learners,
I doubt if they, a dreamy childhood see,
Will they then tell to all those bright discerners
Of their own, how they remembered their childhood to be.
Being a product of this 21st century I understand what you mean and long for a childhood I know I shall not receive.
Excellent thoughts, Ernestine... 'childhood' has certainly changed over the past thirty years. I suppose technology is to blame and, unfortunately, there's probably no turning back. Good write! ! Brian
lovely ernest. a vast ground to be explored. thanks for the write.
Very good poem the world is too tied up with electronic phones laptops children are losing what it means to play outside climb a tree even its sad and they will grow up too fast in a world that is self asbsorbed with oneself. Loved your poems please read my poems and comment on them yours michael
The world seems to be speeding up relentlessly. My childhood was slow and steady - I'm of a certain age as they say. I love this poem..
Hallo du Opfer hihi ne Spaß ist eigentlich gar nicht so schlecht
Enjoyed reading your poem. Today's generation and technology use is so far from when I was a child, and my imagination was used.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
1/16/2025 8:55:46 AM # 1.0.0
Interesting poem, Ernestine! I share many of your thoughts. I feel that the screen-fed generation are having their imagination stunted and so many kids are inactive physically and can't think up or create things to do. And all the time they're bring exposed to the horrors of the world at an unprecedented level. At the same time I think kids have amazing opportunities to learn such as we never had. We tend to idealze our childhoods, which were often not as rosy as we make out. Best we can do as parents and grandparents is to try to create a balance and help kids to make use of the modern world without losing touch with the best of times past.