On this truth a lesson is hung
Contrary to what is told
Youth is not wasted on the young
Wisdom is lost on the old

For late in life do we discern
Good in what we rejected
Only to value what we learned
When it can’t be corrected

Thus it behooves us to impart
Insight to those left behind
In the hope that when we depart
They proceed with a sound mind

But the young are stubborn and bold
With their yearning to be free
In hindsight they’ll look to behold
What it took too long to see

Such is the way of the world
Its wisdom only acquired
In pages fragile to unfurl
When time is nearly expired