Our Mistakes

We come to terms with our mistakes

to strive, to try, then fail, to win

Seeing what bitter food it makes

tasting the tempting fruits of sin

 

Looking back along the past

succeeding through our strain

Makes us value life at last

with its unending strife and pain

 

Who once failed, find triumph sweet

where once stumbled, cry beware

To the other unaccustomed feet

victory comes to those who dare

 

Are we but images made of God

his work in labored progress

Made from the dust and the sod

our one sheer moment of happiness

 

What strife encumbers, the soul awakes

learning the errors, of our troubled route

Through sorrows, of our sad mistakes

come truths, we could not live without

 

Author's Note

We face them every day, and sleep with them every night. Our character is defined by how we deal with our mistakes! For those of us who learn best the hard way this is both bittersweet and true

Reviews

[Allan Eddings]

As always a lovely piece that is both thought provoking, honest, and simply beautiful. Truly I am most envious! While reading this piece with its lovely - and when speaking of your writing characteristic - lyrical nature that seems to beg one to sing it; I was moved to think of the oldest complete piece of music we have found, the Seikilos epitaph. The lyrics when translated from the original Greek read approximately (this is my own translation, so please be cautious, ha!):

While you live, shine, don't suffer anything at all; life exists only a short while and time demands its toll.

The music that accompanies it is quite beautiful I would recommend seeking it out. Back to point. I could not help but feel repeated here the theme of pain, pleasure, suffering and joy which seems to be an eternal question and inspiration to men and women throughout time. It gave me a lovely sense of belonging.

My own ramblings aside, bravo as always, and again thank you.
A.E.

[Bryan Micheni]

i guess this is more a write based on experience... very good write. i like the message, the inevitability of mistakes.

[*** Hey Jude***]

You are an amazing writer. To be able to share such depth of emotion that is rich with wisdom is a gift my friend.
Your words convey images that are familiar, bringing memories of lessons learned that we all can relate to! The music adds to the passion of the written word! Your remarkable ~ :-)

[Cliff Rhodes]

Great write, yes it seems that the one real honest joy and happiness is learning from our own mistakes.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Tate, your words ring true in my life! I believe our mistakes make us stronger if we learn from them and don't make the same one over and over! Going into my faveorites!!

[Muse]

I like to learn things the hard way. I'm a glutton for punishment some say. Does it make me wiser? I believe it does when I choose to make necessary changes. But some mistakes are SO BIG...we lose our sight. I feel like a lost deer.....blinded by the headlights....too stunned to move. Lol...you know my story. I guess at times...we need to trip....to find our steps.