We are the youth!
Rising from a war-torn world,
Witnessing an era of ruthless bloodshed,
Living remains of disease and starvation,
Survivors of death, torture and depression.
Yes, we are the youth!
Envisaged by a world gone mad,
Beckoned by the future,
Obscure, and darkened.
By woes and trials of government,
Economic strife and peace pacts unsettled.
But while all adversities blast,
Hopeful still, naught will dismay,
Our youthful dreams, nor turn aghast.
Analysis/ Review of the poem.
Let look into the analysis of the poem.
This is a short narratives poem written by Remedios Villanueva Miguel. This is a poem of fourteen lines with one stanza, free rhyme scheme. The poem titled “We are the youth!” centered on youths and the world they live in.
The poet started by affirming the challenging circumstances and troubles surrounding the present youth of this generation (21st century). It's true that the youth are living in a damage world where chaos and war have shaped the present day. The reality of this poem is seen in first and second world war (WW II & III) and the great depressions of which damaged the eco system and the economy of several nations in the world, leaving the future of the world desolate. Today, youth of this present generation are suffering the deed done before they arrived. They were never born in a peaceful and favorable society. They are left with nothing to work with and the future of the next generation is on their shoulder. The poet stated his point in line 3, 4, 5 (Witnessing an era of ruthless bloodshed,Living remains of disease and starvation, Survivors of death, torture and depression) showing the heartfelt incident they witnessed as youth and the kind of world they are born into.
The second point that identify the theme of this poem is seen in Eight, Nine, Ten and Eleven, where the poet pinpoint the nature of the future of the youth which he described to be “Obscure, and darkened”, meaning not clear or bright. This is a sad thing for the youth who are called the leaders of tomorrow. This is as result of the kind or system of government we practise, especially in third world countries where there is poor performance of governance and political apathy. The poet brought the economic strife and unsettled peace pacts between nations which created and unhealthy system for the youth because of the power struggle between nations. In some societies, there is no Job opportunities, no youth empowerment, no skill acquisition, no enlightenment, poor educational sector, etc. It's true that government are not helping matters, and they are not considering the youths in their policy or decision. Everything favours only those in power not the masses or the youths.
In conclusion, the poet made it clear to his readers in line Twelve, Thirteen and fourteen that amist all adversities stated above, there is hope. Hope that they will fulfill their youthful dream. Hope for bright and better future that they will uphold. Hope that all hope is not gone. The poet show a sign of faith that ignite the passion in youths to keep believing in themselves. In other words we should be dismay by what we faces today, there is light at the end of the tunnel.