too old to know everything

“I'm too old to know everything”

― Oscar Wilde

___________________________

I used to be wise

I used to know everything

And look down in wonder at those foolish people

Stumbling alone in the dark

But brilliance fades it seems

And the more I know, the less I know

And sureness becomes uncertainty

Arrogance, humility

I am no longer the brilliant, articulate

Rising star

Who could fill a church,

Or make anything happen

I am instead just another fool

Bumbling around

Trying to find my way to some exit

But there are a few things I do know

That I did not know

Or perhaps, more honestly, simply ignored

I know that every person has value

I know that every person has something to teach me

I know that I am horribly flawed, and terrifyingly wonderful, at the same time

I know that greed wins, short term,

But loses in the end

I know that hating and excluding

Makes one less safe, not more safe

I know (my mother taught me this)

That in the end, liars never prosper

They may get rich, they may win, they may even become President

But they lose so much of their humanity

And are much to be pitied. 

It takes so much work to live a lie

I know that generosity brings more joy that a large bank account

And that one who listens is more impressive than one who talks

I know that God is love

The rest?

The rest is up for grabs

I’m too old to know everything