Been There... Learned What? Poem by Pacific Hernandez

I've been to infancy, and there what did I learn
Not much but there were few that I did comprehend
By crying I would get the few things that I need
My mom will come to me, to me would give her breast
When it is cold my mom gave me a warm embrace
She was always around, to give love and solace
But though I like it there, I've got to go some place

I made it to childhood and there what did I learn
In there’s not always smile, neither laughter’s therein
By crying I don't get all the things that I want
But obedience will sometimes have its own reward
There's loneliness to feel, sadness you have to bear
A lost toy is sorrow, the sting of ant is pain
But though childhood is joy, a pleasant state to share
Cannot forever stay, have got to go somewhere

To pubescence I've been, the age of a young man
All the the joys of childhood I have to leave behind
The care free days are gone, responsibilities did come
For myself, my siblings, parents and everyone
In livelihood, my hands I have to give and lend
In every endeavor I have to persevere
Sometimes it's gray around, the hue not always pink
I learned to love and fail, learned to accept defeat
Cannot stay for long, certainly have to go
A grown man I am now, where to be now I know

Bachelorhood I've seen, these are lessons I learned
That the color of love's not always pink nor red
And its taste not always as warm as wine and sweet
It left the taste of brine in my tongue and my lips

So the heart of a man flew like a butterfly
Kissed so many flowers, bound not to anyone
And petals he did pluck, and tears he caused to flow
Made good no promises, just let love come and go

To fatherhood I've been and there these did I learn
That temptation abounds, scattered everywhere
Stand firm as a man, and as a man be brave
And your love will endure, triumphant will emerge
And the woman you love will love you even more
The family you keep will grow healthy and strong
Give your children your love and love they will return
The love you shower them, shields them away from harm,
From vice and the troubles that always lurk around

I made myself content with what I only have
Of those I am devoid, possession of I strived
And those that are not mine never did I covet
For envy breeds sorrow, foments unhappiness

The utterance of words is to be done wih care,
For feelings can be hurt and some of it to mend
And some shall still stay and persists to remain
Axes to grind with some, axes to grind somewhere
Old wounds are to be dressed but never, never heal

In old age I am now, so many things I learned
From the start of my life till now when it must end
And here I will not stay, but can't go anywhere
But to eternal rest where there's none more to learn