We Learned

We stumble first.

Not because we are weak,

but because the road refuses to explain itself

before we walk it.

Mistakes arrive quietly.

They do not shout.

They leave fingerprints

on our choices,

on our pride,

on what we thought we knew.

Regret asks questions

we were too busy to ask earlier.

Not to punish us,

but to teach us

where the lesson was hiding.

We cannot rewind time.

We cannot edit yesterday.

All we can do

is read it carefully.

Take the error apart.

See where the thinking bent.

Notice where courage hesitated

or rushed ahead without wisdom.

Then we stand again.

Not cleaner.

Not perfect.

Just clearer.

Next time,

the same situation will knock.

It always does.

And when it does,

we will answer differently.

Not because we are flawless,

but because we learned.