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You, Too, Will Become an Adult

Growing up without achievements, without praise, without confidence—

that experience is often dismissed as failure.

Yet this poem refuses such easy judgments.

 

It exposes the hollow language of education and authority,

the wounds inflicted by adults who speak of ideals they do not embody.

And then, quietly but firmly, it turns toward the young person and says:

you will be all right.

 

This is not encouragement built on empty optimism,

but trust born from having seen through false adults

and choosing, deliberately, to become something different.

 

You, Too, Will Become an Adult

 

You grow into adulthood

with no special talent to speak of,

grow into adulthood

without having acquired anything,

grow into adulthood

without ever losing yourself in something,

grow into adulthood

without having been praised even once.

 

And that’s fine, isn’t it?

You can start from there, can’t you?

Isn’t it enough just to know that much?

Far better than clinging to confidence without any ground.

 

So stop pretending you know it all.

We don’t need those petty, paper-thin words.

 

“We will nurture proactive individuals

who actively engage with challenges.”

“We will nurture independent individuals

who think and act for themselves.”

“We will nurture autonomous, moral individuals

capable of self-judgment.”

“We will nurture self-motivated individuals

who tackle problem-solving learning.”

“We will nurture emotionally rich individuals

who build healthy relationships.”

“We will nurture socially engaged individuals

who connect with society and others.”

 

This parade of polished phrases

is the school system’s exclusive specialty.

 

They scold you for lacking independence,

they sneer at your inability to stand alone,

they blame you for weak self-discipline.

How often have teachers looked down on you?

How much inferiority have you been made to feel?

How much humiliation have you endured?

There are many who grow into adults

only after being wounded.

 

You will become a decent adult.

You have learned the shabby truths of many adults.

You will be all right.

Being tested by such adults

has sharpened your eye for what is good.

You will grow stronger, little by little.

Your refusal to become that kind of adult

will turn into the strength to live.

You will break your own shell.

Your longing to become this kind of adult

will begin to change you.

And surely, it will widen your chances

to meet people who are truly good.

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