Clouded Youth | Teen Ink

Clouded Youth

November 15, 2019
By 20hackleyksau73 BRONZE, Gilmanton, New Hampshire
20hackleyksau73 BRONZE, Gilmanton, New Hampshire
3 articles 0 photos 0 comments

we know what we do…

our youth spoiled as we breathe through burnt coil

what once was candy stores we now see as a vape shop

we fill our pods to the very last drop

they expect us not to do it 

they tell us to stop

innocence sucked out of our souls 

smoke filling our brains with holes 

Tell me this. 

if they were never meant for teenagers then... 

why do they taste like candy?

why are there different colors? 

why does the juul have a party mode that flashes rainbow light? 

but most of all, how do you sleep at night? 

you put this out in the world expecting us not to inhale

you created our perfect destruction 

without it most of us can barely function 

we pass it around pressing the metal to our lip

hoping to be at peace as we take in the rip 

kids used to be disgusted by cigarettes now some aren’t afraid to try dip 

we send fire into our lungs

we breathe in chemicals and call it fun 

you tell us to quit

but look what you’ve done 

smoke inhalation the destruction of a young nation 

tangerine sunset dream flavors flowing through our blood stream 

it’s the easiest solution it causes no hallucination or confusion 

it’s a quick relief from our stress a silent buzz with no mess

the new age cigarette

but of course that was not the intent..?

yet here we are gasping for breathe 

withdrawals of teens and sudden death.



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This article has 1 comment.


on Feb. 20 2022 at 8:59 pm
WhyWouldIKnow SILVER, A Real Place, Other
8 articles 0 photos 13 comments
Wow, this was crazy good! It's 100% relatable and relevant to today's time and the rhythm carried throughout. Great job!!