The Shadow Strengths

They tear you down.
They show others the truth,
the true colors of each person
becoming clearer through.
They come on the back
of the wanted attributes,
on the ground below
without any disputes.
You know they are there.
You know they are waiting.
You know they won't leave.
They're not even debating
because as long as you have
those strengths you so love
you will also have the shadows
that you can't rise above.
As soon as you realize
you cannot rid yourself of them
is the moment you can cope
with living with these anti-friends.
You can realize they won't
disappear overnight
while simultaneously knowing
you don't have to take them without a fight.
Just because you know
they will be there for a time
does not mean you have to like them
for that would be a crime.
Instead you must remember
they may, at some point, step into the light
joining the strengths you so pine for
and leaving behind the weaknesses you despise.
As previously acknowledged
some will always remain
until the day you leave here
for the eternal rewards you gain
but until that day comes
and is a present present for you
you must simply be aware of the fight
you must put up as that which you must do.