'By some strange paradox, you live
Within my world whilst I am little more
Than shadow on the edge of yours."

1. What is the strange paradox referred to in the poem?
2. Throw some light on the poet's condition.
3. Describe briefly what problems one may face when one is a teen?
4. As a parent, do you think the poet is aware of his position as an adult?
5. What is the message the poet wishes to convey?

"Yet sometimes, off my guard, I catch your eye
And know that we're both children,  you and I."

1. Who are 'you' and 'I' referred to in these lines?
2. Quote phrases from the poem which show that the poet is convinced that the position of an adult no better than that of  teen, i.e. both are children.
3. Which lines bring out the insecurities, and in that sense, the similarities between the teen state and adult state.
4. What does 'off my guard' mean?

Replace the underlined words with synonyms from the poem.

1. Ramona's worldview changed one she reached her teens.
2. Young adolescents skirt on the periphery of childhood and adulthood.
3. They were both jealous of each other's positions in life.
4. I hated being included withing that group of rebellious troublemakers.
5. The vision of the generation gap has been passed down through the ages.