A young man out walking the streets,
he thinks he’s bad.
For him life is tough,
hasn’t had the chances we’ve had.
His mother does her best,
with the money she makes.
She dresses him in hand-me-downs
and cheep market fakes.
A part of the culture of poverty
His pants over sized and baggie
Became the fashion of the streets
Stolen by companies with marketing savvy
A Range Rover pulls up,
outside the school.
Out steps a young man,
he’s nobody’s fool.
A tailored jacket,
that says he’ll win.
A crease down his pants,
as sharp as a pin.
But when the bell tolls,
and school is out.
He dresses in the labels,
most only dream about.
There’s a young girl,
just cruising thirteen.
She walks the mall,
God she looks obscene.
Dressed like a hooker,
When will her parents wake-up.
She thinks she’s looking hot
her face thick with makeup
She’s just a target, a walking beacon
for predators to take.
Lets hope she makes it
despite the presser for heavens sake
Its right to dress nice,
its fine that’s understood.
But this obsession with fashion
and children isn’t good.
The pressure they'er under,
To look just right.
Placed on them by the companies,
with advertising might.
They abuse our children,
In a cowardly way.
Using peer pressure,
to make the parents pay.
OK when their older,
earning their own way.
It’s only right their dress,
has something to say.
Making choices about fashion,
will happen all their life.
From the colour of their car,
to the hair on their wife.
So let children be children,
and not something their not.
Slaves to a world of fashion,
from the time they leave the cot.
Author notes
can't up load graphics *Unstitched Wear*
Written July 15th, 2005
In a list
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Comments
1 - 23 of 23
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Delightful presentation...peer pressure can be horrible...raised five children, practically alone...felt like an octopus with impetuous tentacles from influential peer pressure...
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a good poem, ha peer pressure and companies, i was just watching some film ysterday on the brokers life and how they egged each other on until tragic consequences.
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I so agree.
Tiki Cat
Buy Tiki's Gourmet Cat Food
"Too Good For Humans"
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I admire of your work!
I certainly agree with all that you have said. The defiance of teenagers is quite to be expected. They reject the parents life style in finding definition of their own lives. Usually they return to something like their parents style of living. However, it is sinister the way our lives are controled by big money. Money talks, and big money shouts.
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nice depiction
it was great. -
good!!
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I Love It
I love how You Put Something That So Many People Need To Hear Into Such A Great Poem
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I love it! The Aussi, British accent is just so darn attractive. The poem it's self is brillient. You have taken a part of life that some people keep locked up and opened it like a book.
Love,
Amera♥
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Absolutely brilliant and soooo true of todays world.You hit the nail on the head here Paul,
the peer pressure starts when the kids are so young and continues throughout their lives... its awful..
Well done here.
Ann
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This is amazing. Like really good. I loved the video with it. It really put more emotion into it. I loved the flow and the overall message. Forget peer pressure. I make my own style, my own fashion. Not only are kids nowadays swept up by fashion but there are all sorts of drugs and tobacco to get swept up into as well. It's just not right. I see this alot, just walking in school. People trying to be who they're not. Great job on this Paul. Really good.
Josh
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Very cool
I myself am a witness to this. Hey... I shop at Wal*Mart, and I avoid the malls at all costs unless I have to go to work. I work at Steve and Barry's. It's a cheaply-priced college apparel store. The clothes are comfortable and inexpensive. They sell jeans, jackets, t-shirts, and all kinds of stuff. Steve and Barry's (for the amazing discounts of preferred customers and of employees) and Wal*Mart (because half my family either does or has worked there)...
It's the best way to stay away from being a victim of brand names and ridicule. Besides, I'm allergic to most makeup. I get irritated at some chapsticks.
I realize there are very few teens like me anymore. It'll end soon, though. When the teens from now grow up and can't afford Aeropostale and Abercrombie anymore, there won't be any more problems.
This poem makes a lot of sense. It's a great read... I really enjoyed it. Thanks!!
Much love, as always,
Bubbles
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Hi Bubbles
Thank you for stopping by and having a read It sounds like you have a good grounding fastion is what you make it its not a name and its good to hear you understand that....
Cyber
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I cannot agree with you more on this one. Here in California, we have a wide selection of all of the descriptions you have in this, as well as a few others. It’s amazing to realize that their parents actually let them walk out the front door. But then again, I was raised on principles and morals. Foreign words to youngsters these days.
Excellent job.
~ John
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This is so sobering to think of. It is unbelievable the clutch that fashion can have on people of all ages, but especially the youth. It's so sad.
This is such a stirring piece. It makes the reader want to do something, to love people for who they are and not what they are, to give them a chance to find their identity where it truly lies.
This is insightful and so well-written. Good luck.
--Jocelyn -
Great
A wonderful poem and great story,Some children have felt that pressure from time to time and it is indeed sad that their self
worth is caught up in clothing and opinions -
superb
this needs to said and heard its every parents cry ....how you dress is how feel as though the poor ,man the hooker ,the rich.etc...but who puts these words to clothing and says they must mean this or that...but the vary parents that bitch and moan that fashion is rot....well your poem was supperb ... brought up alot emotion ...and it read well -
OUTSTANDING
Standing giving you a loud round of applauds and saying THANK YOU, THANK YOU ! This is such a well stated, descriptive piece with the talent and insight to see where beyond the moment of glory! You have most certainly spoken volumes within this piece. That I'm most certainly many parents have stated to their children from many ends of this earth . You have ...what more can I say, this particuklar section of your poem gives it all with complete capture!
"They abuse our children,
In a cowardly way.
Using peer pressure,
to make the parents pay.
OK when there older,
earning their own way.
It’s only right their dress,
has something to say.
Making choices about fashion,
will happen all their life.
From the colour of their car,
to the hair on their wife.
So let children be children,
and not something there not.
Slaves to a world of fashion,
from the time they leave the cot."
I have bookmarked your piece and will certainy make it aware to those I come across! Thanks
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thay should spend a day at our end of the age scale I like the quote that "Youth is wasted on the young" thank you for reading
Paul -
Bravo
You express so well what is hard to put into words. Exploitation of the young!
'She thinks she’s looking hot
her face thick with makeup
She’s just a target, a walking beacon
for predators to take.'
What bothers me most is that young people don't seem to realize that they are all naturally beautiful with the dew of youth.
Bravo!
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This was fun read..you did great job with this one ..I do agree that children should stay children ..and it is really scary what young ones are wearing out there especially girls..sometimes i just ask myself where are there parents..
Paul, this was great entry to this contest..very thought provoking ..good luck my friend
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Wonderful job. Everything you said here is so true. Seems our children are targets for the mass manufactures. They make it so, either you can't afford their clothes so you buy cheap generics or when the kids do wear them, it's like, are they dressing their age? No, they want all the young girls to look 25 when they are only 15. They get you from the color of your hair to the type of socks and it seems these days, all the youngsters and teens have to have what everybody else has. I'm glad my 15 year old daughter finally started wearing what she wantd to wear whether anybody else was wearing it or not. I say, comfort should be in more than anything. Rambling I know, sorry about that. Great, excellent poem and best of luck in the contest. Your writing never ceases to amaze me.
Be Well and Be Blessed
Edited on Jul 18, 10:29 p.m. because 'Because'. -
Sorry I haven’t got a chance to read any of your new poems lately, but I really liked this one. I loved how well it flowed, but most of all I liked the message. That is very true in the world today, it is really sad. But anyway, you did a great job, and best wishes in the contest.
~Laura~
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Wonderful entry Paul!! Exactly what I am looking our for in this contest. You have seen beyond the pretty face! How true that children should be children till they grow up to know what fashion and beauty is. Well done, my friend!
Lencio
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