Alter Adage

I know the old adage
'It's the simple things that matter'.
If only life was 'simple' enough to allow me the time to understand, to appreciate each tiny act of kindness for it's individual worth, knowing acknowledgement was all that was asked of me.

I know the old adage
'A true friend is worth it's weight in gold'.
If only I hadn't sold out to the highest bidder, leaving me with nothing more than twisted shards of tin and copper, pointed, taunting, spiteful reminders of my own stupidity.

I know the old adage
'Pride comes before a fall'.
If only I'd known how far the drop from grace truly was.
A seemingly endless pit to Hell, wrenching me ever further from all I thought I was and would yet become.

I know the old adage
'A leopard doesn't change it's spots'.
If only I hadn't shrugged off my conformity, genuine belief in my ability to control nature's design.
Proudly displaying my brighter, bolder 'spots', unaware they would soon wash away, taking with them my final vestige of integrity.

I know the old adage
'Good things come to those who wait'.
If only I'd known how much my impatience was eventually to cost me.
Blinding me to the importance of all I cherished, twisting my priorities, morals and values, hardening my heart and deafening me to the pleas of others.

I know the old adage
'There's no fool like an old fool'...…...