TO BE POLISHED 536
An unknown writer has written...
"A gem cannot be polished without friction
nor a man perfected without trials."
We seem to be living in a age of friction
caused by scrapping and buffeting.
With so many rough, jagged edges
sticking out, our polishing process is
often a teeth gritting experience.
We get tired of rubbing up against the grinding
wheel, but we suspect the buffeting shall continue
so long as we refuse to shine as we should.
Polishing pains like growing pains remain
with us most of our days.
Alas, perfection does not come easily.
(First published on October 8, 1978,
with revisions on August 11, 2021)