Diamonds Inside

second year carlie gambino

photo by noah buchanan

Everything was perfect

I had nothing to suspect

Tried to play the no pain game

the I’m okay game,

the no complain game

But eventually I couldn’t be

It was plain, all I was: pain

It was playing the long game

found in the summer

said it wouldn’t be a bummer

wish it stayed tame

but it finished its slumber

Problems arise

to check my pride

to show me my place

to learn and embrace

to ask for help in life’s surprise

It is plain, all I have: life’s supplies

I have stones inside me

precious gems of misery

each one a lesson

sweet as a lemon

Now I know the instructions

to play the life game

the all surprise game

the kidney stone game

Pain is the lesson

Experience is the production

It’s plain—I will gladly be: under construction