School Of Hard Knocks Poem by John Sensele

Schools of hard knocks subject folks to shock treatment,
Cauterise the pain they suffer,
Harden their resolve to perform efficiently,
Optimise the way they operate,
Offer them a plethora of opportunities,
Life teaches them authentic wisdom, knowledge and skills.

Oscillations of a hard knock school between a rock and a hard place empower people,
Form a well-rounded, stronger character by dint of exposure to real street-wise education.

Hard knock university education planes folks,
Aligns dreams, illusions and reality seamlessly,
Rearranges attitudes towards suffering,
Directs people's energy and efforts towards greater maturity and productivity.

Knocking people off the high horse on which they perch
Nullifies their illusions,
Opens their eyes wider,
Convokes reality checks,
Kneads their thought processes,
Sounds warning bells that save them from self-destruction.