Engraved

Life has taught me some grave lessons.

I have learnt after several wounds

That if you don’t care for yourself and your interests

No one else will do it for you.

Some people are blessed to have loved ones who care

Who teach them how to look out for themselves

For those less fortunate

The vagaries of life don’t spare

They ruthlessly tear you down

Until you learn to lift up your hands

And shield yourself.

I had lost my faith in human beings

Seen things I never wanted to see

Known the depths of depravity that some can go to

For mere material gains

They can kill and maim the spirit of others

Just to ride the wave of success themselves.

In the places that stand for justice

There can be grave injustice

In places where love is worshipped

There can be ugliness of hate

And in those who pledge to build others

There can be envy and jealousy

Such hypocrisy that I cannot bear!

I used to feel sorry for my losses

The precious things of life that I lost

But it was then that I understood

That learning is better than ignorance

And wisdom is better than knowledge

Some people cannot tell the difference

While I can cause life taught me well.

I thank God for the lessons I learnt

For His protection that didn’t let me perish

As storms caused havoc around me

For every grief He gave me a nugget of wisdom

For every loss a deep place in my heart

I heard that these very deep places

Store blessings when the showers come.

I am still learning in the school of life.