Don’t Ask
~~~
Do not ask me what I have seen
For I have seen it all
I have seen the best that man can be
And witnessed the worst of humanity
I have seen the most beautiful of skies
Reflected in the tears of a child’s eyes
I have seen love in all its splendor
The moments when life is tender
I have seen death in unclosed eyes
And hate in every disguise
Never have I been blind
To all that life shows
~~~
Do not ask me what I have heard
For I have heard it all
I have heard the promises we say
And the words that people pray
I have heard gossip by the ton
Judgements cast on everyone
I have heard words that lift the soul
And hatred with virulent toll
I have heard sage advice given youth
And news offered without truth
Never have I been deaf
To all that life proclaims
~~~
Do not ask me to render knowledge
From all I have seen and heard
The only thing that I have learned
Is being surprised at life’s every turn
And I am still learning as I go
Seeing all the things I do not know
Changing the beliefs held dear
As things become more clear
And through this entire rendition
Never given life’s great definition
Do not ask me what I know
I still have a way to go
~~~
commonsensiblyspeaking 
I love the way it is written. Very well said and it flows freely. Great, really great! !!
Thank you! So very kind of you to say!
It’s my pleasure !
and we are all on a continuous journey, each with our own experiences, good and bad, along the way, and we never stop learning the lesson of life
So very true, my friend! Thanks for all your support!
As I started reading this, I could physically feel my heart hurt, because I know you have done and heard things in your life most of us can only begin to imagine. And yet, those things are also a part of the great brother you have become in my life, so I can’t fully hate that they happened to you. I’m so glad you’re conscious of the journey you are on and willing to invest the energy to keep putting one foot in front of the other on its path. I love you!
Thanks, sis! Nobody knows me better than you do. I love you, too!
Through it all, we’re all still a work in progress. This may be one of my favorites, Brad. Who you are today is because of things not shared, only known to you,…it gave you your voice and your words help others, like me, on their healing road. Love and hugs. ❤️
Thank you, dear Karla! I will admit I may not fully appreciate how my words can affect others. But if they help anyone, then every effort is worth it. Thanks for the kind reminder. Love and hugs to you! 😘
You’re welcome, Brad. 💛❤️💕😘
Love this, Brad. Our ability to continously learn is important. I have never understood those people who claim they have nothing left to learn.
I do not think I ever met someone who openly said they had nothing left to learn, If I did, I would argue that point to no end. They may not change their mind, but they will have learned not to say it out loud around me, and thus learned something. Game, set, match! Love to you and yours, my friend!
Brilliant! One of your most powerful, and that is saying a lot my friend. Knowledge is gaining a few steps into the unknown and knowing there’s much more to learn.
Thank you, brother! That means a lot to me. You have been a big part of my learning!
Thank you, and you’re very welcome my brother, as I have learned so much from you! Cheers and a great weekend!
I think this is one of your best, Brad. Such a wonderful way to express such powerful emotions.
These two lines really stood out for me for their juxtaposition (hopefully that’s the right word!):
I have seen the most beautiful of skies
Reflected in the tears of a child’s eyes
That is exactly the right word, Jim! You have developed a very discerning eye when it comes to verse. I can’t sneak anything past you now. I appreciate all your continued support, my friend!
you’ve taught me well!
Likewise, kind sir!
👍
Outstanding! We are who we are based on our experiences, yet that will continue to ebb and flow as we learn new lessons. No one stays in one place.
To stagnate is to die. Thanks, Pete!
Beautiful truths about life and such a poignant piece Brad. Great work. Sending you a great big hug. Love to you, Jonikins ❤️🤗🦋🌹
Thanks, Jonikins!
We don’t have to ask you to render knowledge, you are rendering it whether you want to or not.
Step right onto that one. Thanks, Geoff!
I imagine you would explode if you could not express the words you feel!
I fear that may very well be true.