Maturity was not measured in
Candles blown out
On birthday cakes
Nor the number of gray hairs
On our aging heads.
It is measured in actions-
In how many times
We reach out a helping hand
And how many times
We take what is not ours greedily.
It is measured in words-
In the ones coming
From deep in our hearts
Not the ones that are
Dripping with false pretense.