Adulthood

I wonder if the point isn’t to reach adulthood
Without bad memories.
Much of childhood is training, after all,
And training is not often pleasant, but painful.

I wonder if the point is to reach adulthood
Growing in wisdom, and in favor with God and man.

Which is not to say that childhood should be harsh,
But that if a child matures well,
Even with some vivid memories of correction,
That’s to be expected, and, indeed, unavoidable.