Grown-Ups

It has been said that growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional. This collection of poems by Janet Olearski, explores - through female eyes - our beliefs around what it means to be 'grown-up.'

While we may believe that, once past a certain age, we have attained maturity, the evidence unfortunately indicates otherwise. We delude ourselves, just as we are deluded by others, into thinking that ours is adult behaviour. But, how adult can we be when we gossip, when we are tactless, when we are uncontrollably nosey, when we are influenced by others, when our judgement is clouded and biased? How long before we are able to assert ourselves as individuals, see through falsity, and acknowledge the realities of life? Possibly never. However, we may have moments of lucidity, nostalgia and regret... in our relationships, in love, in our creative journey, and, most significantly, in growing old.

Drawing upon the themes of memory, identity, narcissism, creativity, love, and old age, this is a collection of tips and observations for people who are trying to grow up.