time please grace me with wrinkles on my face

so i can remember the things that took place

those that made me smile and those that seemed like trials

until reaching the other side, i learned what they tried to hide

the lines on this face are witness that i have lived, gifted by giving

and tormented when i was afraid to share

i do not regret or loathe them, they are lessons from the walk, sometimes i should have been running

and sometimes when i was running, i should have walked

akin to when i should have been listening, i thought it important to talk

i have abandoned blame and replaced it with responsibility and the doors that it has both opened and closed have been a blessing to me

when we speak perhaps you will see, the lines on my face take on their own identity

what they show is the wear and tear of a man in search of what is inside of me

you will find whatever you are looking for………………….just keep looking