The Law of Averages
By John Herlihy

Polarities of emotion do our hearts assail,
The law of averages will always prevail.
Every great happiness entails great sorrow.
Every generous act precludes debt to borrow.
Every ordinary day hides an element of surprise.
Every single night speaks of darkness and demise.
Every solitude has the compensation of silence.
Every public gathering an element of compliance.
Every bud contains the promise of a lovely flower.
Every taste of sweetness has its corresponding sour.
Every mountain range has a vast network of valleys.
Every speck of light has spectral ghosts of shadows
The fine interweaving of opposites we cannot escape;
The destiny we build for ourselves only we can make.