Manhood And Boyhood Poem by Boston Kelley

Riddle me this, who possesses more greatness?
Thou must answer, who shall be more admired?
The man or the child?
Who ranks above the other?

The boy is innocent in nature,
having little knowledge of evil.
He is joyous and cheerful in character,
for life has not been shown to him in fullness.
A blessing are they, a treasure to protect.
In them are immaturity and lack of wisdom
for they have not fully been taught.
So naive are they that they do not know of
the harshness of life.
He is fragile in composition,
and lacks experience.
Hold a baby in your arms and gaze into his eyes;
you will see an innocent soul that has not
been touched by life's tainting touch.
At their birth, they are purest,
whiter than whitest snow.
As life progresses, evil whispers to them,
revealing its most vile and immoral pleasures.
In them is no guilt or shame since knowledge of evil is lacking.
They enjoy the prime benefits of health
as their bodies grow strong and fortified.

The man is a being of power,
built strong and formidable.
His character is one of temperance
because he knows how to restrain himself.
A commanding voice does he possess;
none can ignore his words.
Sterness is found in his eyes when he
disciplines and gentleness is found when he
loves.
Experience he has been given in abundance
for the years have shown and taught him much.
Wisdom has he been supplied with as one
event passes into another.
He does not possess the immaturity of a child
for he has left the child behind.
Yet, his knowledge has left him knowing evil.
He has seen the best and worst of the world,
but the worst has caught his attention.
All immoral activities he has learned of,
being taught to avoid them,
yet as vulnerable to surrender to them.
He is the result of his years, for they have shaped
him.
Woe to those years! His character is like clay during
them!
For evil and goodness have equal reign over him.
Send a man into the jungle and see what he emerges
as. What will he be?
Send a man through his childhood and let those years
build him or break him.

I ask you, who is the greater?
Who shall stand above the other?

The boy is like sunshine, a light on a dark world.
The man is like a knight in shining armor,
or a hideous serpent,
a hero waiting to rescue or a foe waiting to strike.
Alas, the flaws are abundant in both.
See how boys refuse to mature and engage
in all manner of immorality.
See how men terrify and abuse others, driven by
their selfishness.
Few children possess incredible wisdom
while few men are gentle in their nature.
Many deformed beasts are found in the herd,
yet a few stand healthy and vigorous.

The nature of both continue to be a mystery;
like clay, they must be molded and crafted perfectly.