Turning Twenty

The twenty-first century is maturing.
Time flew through its adolescence.
Will we manage a world hopefully enduring
With love, peace and effervescence?

At its birth we used the word 'millennial'
And we all survived the Y2 Scare.
But the growing pains seem perennial.
Humanity and AI make quite a pair.

Human connection is digitized.
Lovers' gazes aren't face to face;
It's via devices now romanticized.
The world's becoming a peculiar place.

Paper is out, screens are in;
Reality is increasingly virtual.
Privacy's walls are growing thin.
Finding the truth's a trek unusual.

Will its emerging adulthood provide a break
From time and technology speeding?
Are there lessons for humanity's sake
We should slow down and start heeding?

We'll ponder after the countdown and cake -
This century IS turning twenty -
No doubt we'll have adjustments to make
And wish for more birthdays a'plenty.