I Learned From A Wise Elder

I learned from a wise elder as a boy years ago That few go through life without making a foe The truth in her wisdom is with me today The words of the wise our lifetime with us stay Few without an enemy why otherwise pretend Not everyone you know or know of is your friend And not everyone of you has kind things to say This is how people are and life is this way As so few people are without flaw or taint The one without a foe must be a living saint Those who tell you they like everyone may be playing the word game of deceit Since most people for success with each other compete And the words of a wise one that time had left gray From the far long ago remain with me today.