I learn
from the smell of dried leaves
from the sight of blank sheets
from the touch of wrinkled skin
from the taste of spoiled wishes.

I learn
from the silence of the wind
from the roar of the tides
from the turmoil of the clouds
from the strength of the sun.

I learn
from the hard work of the soil
from the wealth of the ocean
from the wages of the devoted
from the truth of the unfortunate.

I learn
from the shouts on the streets
from the whispers of clandestine lovers
from the hails of feigned churchgoers
from the blood shed of warriors.

I learn
from the most glamorous get-ups
from the tattered of his sleeves
from their make believed happiness
from their victorious sighs.

I learn
from the lowest of creatures
from the proudest monsters
from the most sublime feature
from the scariest beast.

I learn
from the look upon your face
from the sadness in your stare
from the joy on your lips
from the droop upon your shoulder.

I learn
from the unwritten essays he wrote
from the muted songs she sang
from the blank canvasses he painted
from the unspoken love she conveyed.

I learn
from the infancy of the old
from the wickedness of evil
from the humble dominance of good
from the misunderstood language of man.

I learn
from the humility in your entrance
from the painfulness of your exit
from the grandeur of your return
from the faith that you will.