"A person young is thought to have no power
Even when she is a queen, as like myself.
Those older do surround, ever pressing in
And questioning each word that I do speak.
One thinks I shall a poor decision make,
Another thinks himself more competent.
The best of them do bow and show respect
And treat me with the deference due my throne,
Yet even their eyes speak of disbelief-
Their courtesy becomes a stifling thing.
A youth is no more frail than older folk,
No less intelligent, no less sublime.
Our steps are newer, yet we are no jewel
To be protected and encased by them.
We know of violence and life's harsh ways,
Our tears descend in grief as their tears do.
We are not made of softer stuff than they,
The moods we feel often run irate and rough.
We have no thoughts less noble than our elders
In truth, compassion may we ably teach.
Then why is it thought that youth are so beneath
those older than we are? Of any rank?!
Tis' foolishness, yea, tis foul treachery!
If ever these older ones could look within
And plumb the depths of youth, what wonders would
before their eyes appear: the courage, strength
and valor it requires to be a youth:
The daily struggle to survive amid
the thousand constant doubts we do receive
from every person, even those who are dear,
the ever-present skirmishes with those
of our own age, who should support and praise us,
bound within the sacred bond of youth,
but who, instead, do injure with harsh words.
To be a youth within a world run by
an older generation taketh strength
Yea, that beyond a hundred elders' might.
To be both young and leader truly is
to be a target ever in their sights.
I would not trade my station for the world,
nor would I wish it on mine enemy.
Although the pain is fraught, this is our cause:
We youth shall mold the future we desire."
From William Shakespeare's The Phantom of Menace (William Shakespeare's Star Wars, #1) by Ian Doescher
