Wait

Don’t worry when the skies are gray,

Don’t weep because night follows day,

Don’t mind what evil people say,

     Don’t rail at luckless fate;

Don’t try to push the crowd aside,

Don’t try to stem a useless tide,

Don’t pull your throttle open wide,

     Don’t get impatient, wait!

Don’t bite at every flashy hook,

Don’t jump without a partial look,

Don’t try to win by hook or crook,

     Don’t take a reckless gait;

Don’t try to get rich in a day,

Don’t scare your lucky star away,

Don’t shout because you’ve won the fray,

     Don’t lose your balance, wait!

Wait till the skies have cleared a while,

Wait till you’ve gained the weary mile,

Wait till you’ve made another smile,

     Before you swell with pride;

Wait till you know just where you stand,

Wait till you’ve lent a helping hand,

Wait till the angels call you grand,

     Then be quite satisfied.

Jan. 9, 1913