We will know happiness, we will know sadness.

(April is poetry month. New poetry number twenty.)

We will know happiness, we will know sadness.

1- Once I drank in life, once I search for new places and new faces.

I left home when I was eighteen, joined the Army and I enjoyed my life.

I saw 14 countries in Europe and drank, dances and knew laughter.

I came home in 1980 and I learn. Dear Grandparent, were getting older.

I learn that the good people will get older and leave us.

2- I volunteered for wars and when I came home. Grandfather had passed.

Dear sister did not tell me. Broke my heart. I wished I told him.

He taught me how to live.

3- I held my children at their birth, I held my grandchildren at their birth.

Became my best day. Today I became an old man, and my grandchildren are becoming men.

All my mentors are gone, dear sister Holly is in heaven, mother and stepmother left

my world. My father and stepfather, my grandfathers. I speak their words now.

My grandfather Wayne would love my garden and I remember him telling me often.

My home is a place for love, leave your anger on the front porch. Four brothers had

left my world. drugs and alcohol stole their minds and souls.

I try to remember the good days and I learn too late. I should of been kinder and

I should of listen to them. Each of us are different. Some of us, like me.

I am a brick house, and some people are built on sand. Now I listen,

now I pay attention to my children, my grandchildren. Like my father Jack told me.

Listen, think and then speak. Be kind.

Life is a teacher. We will know happiness and we will know sadness.

John