school of life

you read so much about everything
and yet, nothing ever prepares you
for things that really happen

for the raw emotions
that flit across people's faces
for the sorrows that pour out
unchained, unconfined
for the sincerity and earnestness
which people reserve for devotion
the envy and jealousy
written so plainly you cry out
and sometimes,
even for the overwhelming joy
you bring to them