Wisdom's Fruit

A grandma

lovingly told me

"You're wise beyond your years"

:

What she didn't know

was how many times those words

grazed my ears

:

"Usually that means you've overcome

great pain and suffering at a young age."

:

She was right

:

I'm wise because

I've made a lot of mistakes

I've overcome tremendous pain

:

I've hurt others

just as much as I've been hurt

The ways I've hurt myself

are some of the worst

:

But from all the hurt I've learned

I didn't allow pain to impede my growth

:

I refused to wallow in my sorrow

My sorrow became the seed

From the pain I sprouted roots

:

Roots that blossomed

and now bear

wisdom's fruit