9 am in the morning thoughts

understanding your excellence
is knowing in fifty years you will be someone's
favorite artist, they will memorize your poetry
recite it in class, permanent ink in their arm.

climb to your own personal summit
to realize there is still more to reach for
why cannot we leave everything behind
for what we know is promised?

others will not understand, until it has already happened
it is a slow progression, much like life-
not knowing you have won until the wrinkles have appeared
manifesting happiness, alone.