“Hoping Against Wisdom,” “Agape,” and “Youth”

A heart lacking good sense,

chasing after its yearn

like a bull to its treacherous

slaughter, praying

for its plans to see the

light of success,

saying:

I’m hungry,

I’m thirsty,

I can’t deny myself what

I crave any longer.

The time is now

for me to be happy.

Thinking Ability counsels

me to exercise patience, and

Discernment cautions that my

haste will surely lead to poverty

but I’m forging

ahead because maybe,

just maybe,

they could

be wrong

just this one time.

When patience can scale a wall

when kindness transcends barriers

When jealousy nulls

when bragging rebukes its boasts

When pride can bend its knees

when disrespect is shunned

When self-interest no longer lusts

when anger can surrender

When forgiveness releases its debtors

when wrong ceases to snicker

When truth is fashionable

when mercy triumphs over judgment

When belief can embrace

when hope doesn’t give up

When fear keeps calm and shows trust

when knowledge can admit its limits

When nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues can sit together,

then love will never say: There’s not enough to go around.

What happens to a heart in want?

Does it fold

up and stay inside?

Or camouflage -

And hide?

Does it settle

like the moon upon night?

Or break out -

like a fight?

Maybe it just shouts

with ire.

Or will it like a moth to a flame be burned by the fire?