Never factoring in

the lives that would be lost in war and accidents.

Never factoring in

the disappointments, illnesses and divorces.

Never factoring in

that forever was often never in the plan.

I came for

the learning, listening and loving.

There had to be

all the other things along the way

to polish the diamond I would become under pressure.

There needed to be in my case,

the addictions, the abuses, the manipulations, the lies.

Had I not been planted in those circumstances

I would have not had the opportunities

(more at greatpoetrymhf)