When Will You Learn? Poem by Gauri Gupta

I know you heard stories
Of truth, valor and glory
Of undying love, eternal and pure
Of joy, happiness and so much more
You believed them, blindly
You believed each word
And so you set about and painted your world
But the rose turned to grey,
And all the colors, soon faded away
Alas my child, when will you learn?
Stories they were, and so shall remain

I know you were taught, to be kind and gentle
To help, to care, to love and to respect
You wanted to win friends, to last you a lifetime
You wanted to win hearts, to love you forever
And now you stand, alone once again
Wondering why hearts have turned cold
And the friends have gone missing
When will you learn, little girl, when will you learn?
Hearts only adore the smile on your face
And mateys come and go, with the dawn of the day

I know you love him, your only love
You think it’s for real, you think it’s meant to be
Wake up little girl, when will you learn?
Love if true, will never be lost
He will not change, not now or ever
And hurt and misery, are all he has to offer
He will be smooth, he will sweet talk
He will serenade, he will not balk
Break your walls, and let him in
And you will see him, run again
When my child, when will you learn?
Men of honor do not return

You are your own person,
You are all you have
The God above is busy, with matters of the world
And has no time to spare, for your whining girl!
No knight in shining armor, is coming to your rescue
Nor will a dashing hero, appear to save you
No comfort or solace, will come your way
And you little girl, must grow up one day

Fight back the pain and swallow the tears
Unsheathe your anger and let them fear
Throw away the pieces, throw away the past
Hold your head high, and don’t look back
Remember your lessons, remember them well
And don’t let another, take you down again
For you little girl, have come into your own
For you little girl, have learnt and grown