What Time Taught Me

The world whispered in my ears the moment I opened my eyes: "Every smile you see hides a tale of sorrow—walk gently through life."

I learned to cry, then to stay quiet, to speak through silent stares, and finally, to guard my heart’s voice for someone worthy.

They said, “Men don’t cry,” but when my mother’s prayers began to fade, the tears that fell became the strength I never knew I had.

One day, I understood— true friendship is the one that hears your silence, that sees the tiredness behind your laughter.

Bonds aren’t built on blood alone, but on feelings that hold you when the world lets go. Sometimes a stranger can heal you in ways family never could.

When someone left, my heart shattered— but every crack was the start of something new, where I found myself in quieter, deeper colors.

Now I know: the sun must burn so we can feel the meaning of shade, and distance must hurt so we can cherish closeness when it comes.

This poem isn’t a child’s tale— it’s the voice of someone who didn’t win easily, who wasn’t broken by betrayal, but who picked up every piece and turned pain into wisdom.