Patience, though seeming to be a frightful foe...

Patience, though seeming to be a frightful foe,
              is yet a forthright friend -
      its faithful alliance only showing itself
            after it has been furtively accepted.

But to mix and confuse the nature of apprehensiveness
        with that of patience
would be as to mix and confuse the nature of stupidity
        with that of courage.

For it is without courage that the ignorant seals his fate,
          as the apprehensive will seal their own.
      But the bold yet patient man will find his reward
        in any such endeavor.

But a singular, slight surprise may reveal the ignorance
    of the fool,
          Yet unleash the uninhibited courage of the bold & patient man.

And as a fiery furnace consumes its fuel, so is the
      apprehensive man consumed by his fear.
                                - end -

        - February 18, 2006