Forbearance

The mastermind of fortitude,
Restraint and self-control
Sees a world of possibilities
In choices to be made.

Committed to consideration
Where all sides get an equal eye
And patience is a sleepy sloth
Who treads the tangle of tolerance.

And all is a matter of attitude,
Of knowing when to halt and hold, 
Of reading the sighs and subtleties
And waiting for the flap to fade.

No need for angry altercation
When respect will edify to
Cut a clearer, broader swath and
Lead the way to deference.

Sweet forbearance, take my hand
When passions winnow high.
Give me pause to find the cause
And softly
     Simplify.

Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin