Float away
Like a leaf on a river
Ascend high
As an ash on the breeze
Dive deep
Like the great Blue Whale
Burn hot
Like lava into the sea
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be wise
Like the owl in the night
Speak loud
When defending the truth
Forgive completely
When the anger has passed
And laugh like you did
When you lived in your youth
I once questioned a frail, old man
What made him think he was right?
He looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes
And said, “Well, sleep on it tonight.”
I pondered his words and then my own
What was it he thought would come?
When morning arrived, I conceded the point
For in his words I found wisdom.
Hindered words from the naïve
Can speak more loudly
And have more wisdom
Than those uttered aloud
By the mouth of a fool
Breath enables life.
Wisdom is knowing when to breathe
And keep one’s words to oneself.
