It’s not what happens to you
that counts
it’s how you respond

so whether you’re kissed
or whether you’re not

or whether you’re this
or that
or grow big
or remain a dot

if you’re successful and full of fun
or fighting for a cause
or staying at home

abandoned or cherished
or alone

nothing matters but that you stay the same
don’t get embittered
don’t feel ashamed
but live generously, kindly, and full of love
for people
for yourself
for the earth
and your God

and for the Rose
in the garden
that you planted
and adored
and tamed.

You can’t pull up a blade of grass
hoping to make it grow faster

you can’t hear words
that won’t be heard

you can’t hear music
without silence

Give it rest. Let it breathe.
Forgive yourself.

All you have to do right now
is listen to the river flow
and let the grass grow.

When fate deals you
a cruel blow
there’s only one thing
to be done:
be cheerful and go on.

When fate showers you
with blessings
and great joy

bow your head
and stand still.

a sandpiper waits
at the edge of the shore
the sun shines hot
the breeze is stiff and bright
what is he waiting for

a wave leaps in
he jumps some more
stares out to sea
looks round at me
then waits again at the edge of the shore

I used to think
That life was more
Than jump and wait
And love and hate
Standing until your legs are sore

But now I know
That life is just a long wait by an open door
And peering through
And wondering too
What lies beyond what you can see from the shore.