The Audacity of Youth

Untested, bold, undaunted.
Much too soon to be haunted.
By regrets of actions taken or refrained.
Far too young to be shaken by near misses of potent pain.

Recklessness of catastrophic bent.
Unearned respect expected to be lent.
To take without giving or permission.
Without a semblance of contrition.

Abundant pride with hearty footsteps in their gaits.
For lauded praise and pleasure they do not hesitate.
Failure impossible to fathom or imagine.
In minds where limits and mortality are obscene.

Their hearts are pure, and no fear is found.
Opportunities, risk, reward abound.
A destiny inseparable from truth.
Wisdom’s fruit for outliving the audacity of youth.