Written when I was in the midst of a writing block.

When I was a small boy
I could smell a chocolate cake in the oven.
When may I eat it? -- I asked.
Mother said, so matter of fact,
It’s not ready yet.
You’ll have to wait.

I wanted to go to school.
I had waited for 5 long years.
When can I go? – I pleaded my case.
You’re not old enough.
You’ll have to wait.

If I could only drive a car.
I could put my bike away.
I could get a part-time job.
You have to be sixteen.
You’ll have to wait.

I was writing a poem each day.
It gave me such a regular high.
Why have I missed a day or two?
That is something you cannot force.
You’ll have to wait.

Anything we do before the right time
Is usually forced and poorly done.
The greatest thing we can learn is
Let the idea develop.
You’ll have to wait.

The lesson of all this waiting
Comes from that winemaker’s ad.
I’ll write no poem before it’s time.
Until it’s ready.
I’ll have to wait.