823 and 824

With every bad emotion, there is one

you needn’t feel too bad about. Take heed:

for with one lack, one constraint, too, is done,

and in racked soil is a hopeful seed.

Remember, greed is also passion. Give

its better part your strength and find your boon.

Turn also loneliness inside-out: live

its companied adventure as your tune.

So let no fear consume you! See its friend—

each horror has its counterpart beside.

Love all their good companions, let them mend

the pains you’ve had to bear alone inside.

Explore the wheat if ever you find tares:

pain always has a friend nearby who cares.

~~~

You called me, didn’t say what it was for,

and when I texted back to ask you why,

you didn’t deign to try to call once more,

nor did you give my question a reply.

You leave me now to try again come morn,

to see if morrows really do renew,

to see if answers really can be born

by bearing night, though worse-for-wear, all through.

I’ve never thought it good. Waiting all night

to know if we are still of the same heart.

To know if our two souls are still alright

deserves more than a night with us apart.

But if that’s what you need, I’ll starve as long

as it takes to right every single wrong.