Learning To Grow Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Seldom is a growing done,
Relying upon kindness.
And remaining good.
With a doing of this,
To perceive the best behavior...
Is a guaranteed rewards are received.

Those who have grown 'gracefully',
Know for themselves...
There has to be some conflict.
There has to be decisions made,
To admit mistakes to regret.
There has to be,
Tears and sorrows to experience.
And disappointments unexpected,
Taking away one's breath.
There has to be,
A showing to know what forgiveness is.
Especially the forgiving of oneself.
With a growing to accept,
The meaning of respect to give it.
Without this expected to be returned.
And learning not to refuse,
From who a lesson is taught.

Learning to grow,
Are not easy steps to take.
Yet believing this process,
Of growing can be done...
With less effort to endeavor made,
Can be a painful, unnecessary excuse...
Used on a daily basis.
To claim 'staying down to Earth',
Produces a growth never to change...
The taste of fruits,
Refusing to bloom.
Insisting a delicious...
Too immature and shown not to exist.