As a millennial, I know what it's like to be the generation in the middle. The older generations make their own mistakes and discuss our ignorance when we do the same. Then we look at the generation to come and we hope that we can leave them a world to prosper in and teach them how to give back to it. The thing is, our generation isn't the first to feel this way. It seems that every one before us have felt this "in the middle" feeling. So here is a poem to describe the stance of being that middle generation.
Here I am in the middle
Of ages Come and Gone
Here lies the destruction of those gone
And here lies the problems we should solve before more come
Yet I was not taught the issues here
Or how I was to contribute
I was only taught how to benefit myself
And problems of others - I haven't a clue
The pressure to be graded high
Was higher than moral points
And the problems of my people
I was taught to avoid
Oh sure I was willed to contribute
But to put my future first
Because without a predictable future
Fore mentioned future would be the worst
So here I am with eyes looking 'round
A burning world set before me
I think, "Have I let my fellow man down?"
"Is that why the Ones Gone abhor me?"
They said "Get ahead at any cost"
They said "Benefit you"
But now they speak of compassion I've lost
When they didn't give a clue
Can I change my path?
Make a difference for those to come?
Or will I have the same disdain and wrath
And have the same judging tongue?
The Ones Gone call us lazy
Saying we sit back to watch it burn
Then they call us crazy
When we strive for the change for which this world yearns
So if you're stuck in the middle
Which each generation will be
You are not the first to consider it a riddle
"How to correct the world 'correctly'"
But maybe yours is the generation
That can change what we have not
To save this world and nation
From the damage we have not stopped
My generation wishes you
Hope and success
Hope that we may teach you
How to hold up when put to the test
As we become the Generation Gone
And you see the Generation to Come
I hope you can teach the good of the Generation Gone
And all the world-saving we've done
