Lesson on a Dusty road

I took the long way, the wrong way  
Flat tires and skies gone gray  
Hard-headed, heart half broke  
Chasing pride through clouds of smoke  

Should’ve listened, should’ve turned  
But I had to crash to learn  
Every back road, every bend  
Carved the truth I now defend  


It was a lesson in the dust  
In the breakdowns, in the rust  
In the silence after storms  
Where regret and grace were born  
I made it through, I’m standing tall  
Grateful I survived the fall  
It wasn’t easy, wasn’t clean  
But I found the strength between  


I saw signs I chose to ignore  
Thought I knew what life was for  
But wisdom don’t come wrapped in gold  
It’s in the stories scars have told  

I lost some friends, I lost my way  
But I found myself in disarray  
Now I walk with open eyes  
No more chasing perfect skies  

  
Every detour had a name  
Every bruise became a flame  
And now I light the path ahead  
With all the tears I never shed  


It was a lesson in the dust  
In the backfires, in the trust  
That broke and healed along the ride  
Now I wear my truth with pride  
I made it through, I’m still alive  
Grateful for the will to strive  
It wasn’t luck, it wasn’t fate  
It was learning — before too late  

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jazz, rock, rap, uplifting, male, meditation