I waited for the good things to come

And so bidden waited my time

And watched the good fortune of others

My patience spurned turned resentful

 

I set forth to gain the good things alone

To conquer and suborn all before me

And through their thrall reward myself

But gaining my aims meant I only  won alone

 

I blinded myself with light too bright

I deafened myself with sound too loud

All the gorging of the senses

Left me bled white on white

 

Then I chose to seek good for others

Wishing to be rewarded myself

Surrendered to all who asked me

But  received tributes to no avail

 

I thought all causes so noble

Would nourish and nurture me full

My service turned to exhaustion

All my strength spent in sad travail

 

And so spent I found peace and tranquility

Time enough for wisdom to visit and say

It’s folly to die for your desire alone

And profligate to die for others in vain

 

But that paradox left me with a question

To which wisdom smiled and then answered

She told me the good I sought in others

Always had and would reside in me

 

And without me asking again

She told me to discern and thus learn

That to possess the good in all for all

Means I live for myself and then for others