Yesterday, just by chance
I met some Young Adults
Obviously in a clearly defined
Responsible way
And finding we had
Nothing in common or
Indeed
Anything to say to one another
To break the ice
I wrote them a “Young Adults” Novel,
And quipped
“Here’s looking at YA, kiddoes!”
As I leaned over to
Pass them
The fraying manuscript.
They smiled politely and glanced up at me
From deep beneath their fine
Young Adult fringes
And pretended
Thanks to atavistic conditioning
To be grateful.
It’s good to bridge that vast and gaping
Generational gulch
And politeness,
Please remember
Cost nothing.