Elemental Lessons

I was told to find nobility,
I was told to seek sincerity.
These were my teachers,
The world's secret keepers.

The river taught me what it was to strive,
The river taught me what it was to thrive.
The river taught me what it was to bleed;
Reveling in life like the flow of earth to sea.

Fire taught me what it was to be cold,
Fire taught me what it was to be bold.
Fire taught me what it was to be loved,
Embraced in full by life's soft judge.

The canyon taught me what it was to be wrong,
The canyon taught me what it was to be strong,
The canyon taught me what it was to see,
That darkness and light are both keys to being free.

The Eagle taught me what it is to fly,
The Eagle taught me what it is to die.
The Eagle taught me how to breathe;
The beautiful mountain air that sustains his massive wings.

Water, fire, earth, and air,
All working to cradle us in lessons care.
Through them I have found: Only hope can show suffering,
That chains can teach the soul to sing.