Floriana Hall's "Maturity"
© 2003-2004 Floriana Hall

The older I get,
the more I regret
Thinking I knew all the answers.
Now that I'm older,
although somewhat bolder,
The tenacity of youth seems to falter
and my views of life tend to alter
The lucrative philosophy
that was my distinction
With the genes and characteristics
that link one
To understanding the purpose of life.

Each day I learn something new
And I continue to review
Both sides of every question.
But now, the answer, you see,
Is sometimes a mystery to me.
I always thought I was so clever.

Since no one knows the perfect solution
To the complex problems of our culture
Such as racism, politics, or pollution,
I can only reiterate this declaration --
"Older is wiser" when one can admit
they know 
they DON'T know all the answers.