Dear life is a treasure we don't understand,
How sad that we grasp it's true meanings too late.
When youth and good health, and all time is at hand,
We sadly deny the true fates that await.
How often a soul at it's passing bemoans
The waste of it's days in poor pointless pursuits;
How often a heart nearing ending atones
By preaching to youth of it's errors en route.
You'll never learn all the sweet secrets of life,
Unless you give ears to those farther in years;
Go learn from their joys, and from all of their strife,
What hides in their smiles, what flows in their tears.
So try not to waste what of youth you possess,
Before you grow old, and must meekly acquiesce.
Author notes
8- We live life to learn it but by the time we're ready for it, it's time we have to leave
Not exactly what I set out to write, but I hope it works 
Azgar
A contest entry
- 10 quotes to inspire you contest by Hikari Lady.
700 points, ended December 27, 2008, 15 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Honourable Mentions Only! by amaranthine lover.
775 points, ended January 22, 63 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Like it? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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Wonderful
I can't tell you how many times I have thought to myself "What I wouldn't give to be able to go back to being 12 again." Then I think "If I had not had the experiences I had, I would not be who I am today." So what I might not be neurotic, a little off my rocker.. But I wouldn't be able to handle the things that life throws right at my head either. This is a beautiful piece, because I now know, that my mother was right, all those years that she would tell me "Take you time. You have time." or "Don't do this, don't do that, I have been there I know." And now... I know that you can only learn by living. And yes, sometimes it feels as if time has passed you by, but until it is truly gone, over with, there is always time. Thanks for sharing this write.
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I think for anyone it's so hard to learn from someone elses mistake without tasting the bittersweet ourselves. Not to say at my age there are so many things I wish I had taken heed to. Very powerful write, I love it. Great job.
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Great write! I will be sure to heed this advice. I feel like I fall into that category. Nicely done (:
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Unbelievably beautiful and so honest and full of truth beyond compare!! I am 18 years old.. and have recently decided.. its time to listen. All growing up my parents told me 'Don't rush it' 'don't grow up too fast' yadda yadda yadda...
I rushed it
I grew up too fast
Man what I wouldn't give to be a kid again!!!
I absolutely LOVE it!
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The start of the poem really catches the readers attention! I liked the advice!
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(Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Dogulas Adams)
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a lovely profound piece
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Confident again. In this one your rhythm is almost perfectly regular, which lends a great deal of strength.
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I loved your take on the prompt, different. Your lines spoke so much truth and I guess many young people will do well reading and learning from this poem.
Thanks for enetring and good luck.
Much love
~Noor -
This is cool. I love it because it's so...absolutely true.
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Lessons have to be learned, they never will be verbally understood until they are experienced. Thats the probelm with life. We have to make our own mistakes. Great poem. All the best in the contest.
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thank you
at the very least, from words we learn what to expect, howsoever useless, or useful, that may be
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