Wisdom

By Jason Marion

(Written in early 1991, by the Midnight Monitor)

Old men will hand it to you in their pubs,

(over whiskey)

in long-winded speeches that are hard to listen to.

You can gain it through disciplined ceremonies,

that hurt your knees,

and

bends you body,

and soul,

in uncomfortable positions.

You could find it in scholastic study,

spending a lot of time

in library’s,

with many books.

You could always try

hallucinogenic drugs and

sitting naked

on the roof,

discussing philosophy with the others.

…but these things

do not

award you with wisdom.

Instead…

listen to the old men

and taste their whiskey…

take part in a ritualistic ceremony,

and bend your mind and body…

go to the library and read some good books…

try a drug

and sit naked on the roof,

discussing philosophy with the others…

…but,

most of all,

hear this:

wisdom is gained through experience.

like all things,

it is a journey,

not a purchase.

Experience: Wisdom