I know now;
what makes men great
what makes a man kill
what real love is
what sacrifice means
what ravenous feels like
what fear tastes like
what I am capable of.
I know now;
that I’ll be tested
that life is a game
that time is an illusion
that death moves among us
that I too can kill for the right reasons
that love can heal many things
that this road can break you down.
I know now;
the glory in failure
the inspiration in desperation
the pride in proud
the bliss of awareness
the suffering through consciousness
the balance between this proposed good and evil
the games that we play.
I know now;
why we have a choice
why temptation exists
why some sell their souls
why many go crazy
why so many give up
why more don’t ask questions
why we create our own prisons.
Yet there’s so much I do not know.
And what will I do with this knowledge?
How will I honor this wisdom?
What will I do to pay my respects for those that came before me,
to make my amends,
to feel clean on the other side?