Stone Poem by Bill Upton

Influences are born early in life.
Personalities are shaped in youth.
Character is built by observing, by listening
To those we love, those we admire.
Ideas, environments, relationships
Are causative agents
For future philosophies,
Ideologies,
Determining factors of values and preferences.
One person can create another person's thought process.
One traumatic event can blindfold future ideas.
Some lessons in life linger past closing time.
Eye opening discoveries or events-
Good or bad-
Creep into our innocent subconscious minds
And refuse to leave.
Some memories lock in-
They do not erase.
They become indelible lessons.
They become ghosts.
They won't go away.
They are sealed with a kiss.
They are written
In
STONE.