What are Children? – a poem by an 8th grader

What are Children?

What are children?
I was asked one day.
I knew what they were,
But what should I say?

They are noise and confusion.
They are silence that is deep.
They are sunshine and laughter,
Or a cloud that will weep.

They are rude and nasty.
They are polite as can be.
They want parental guidance,
But fight to be free.

They are aggressive and bossy.
They are timid and shy.
They know all the answers,
But still will ask “why?”

What are children?
I was asked one day.
They are the future unfolding,
So do not stand in their way.

-written by an eighth grade student