Through despair, I have wrought

An  iron-clad soul.
Through sadness, I have fought
For a tree of joy to grow full.
Through anger, I have grown
A mind of meaning.
Through agony, I have condoned
The injustices of living.

In life, I have seen
The glares of judgment flicker constantly.
In life, I have been keen
To the luxuries of praise flowing seamlessly.
In life, I have felt
The whips and thorns of the wealthy.
In life, I have learned
Of the cruel and foolish poverty,
That truly lay within men's hearts.

Yet I also learned of kindness
And generosity.
As well as searching in blindness
For wealth in life's hostilities.
A richness of love,
That few will obtain,
Without help from above,
Or the disappearance of disdain.