-- Wanting and Waiting --

John Herlihy

Our frantic wanting pushes us out of ourselves,

Stirring desires that play around like little elves.

Waiting slowly gathers strength that lies within,

Prepared to wait and wait no matter how grim.

Desire is fine until we desire the wrong thing,

Only to see how unpleasantness can take wing.

Patience a virtue whose power makes us proud,

We suffer forbearance as if wrapped in a shroud.

Wanting seizes our hearts when impulses run wild,

The panting of galloping horses cannot be slowed.

While waiting pulls in our reins, to breathe mild,

As we move forward, the whole world is towed.

Wanting nothing but an empty sack never filled,

Waiting soothes the anxious heart, now stilled.

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(c) John Herlihy 24 March 2020