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.