Patience with Grace
There are far worse things than waiting

I wish I had waited for you with more patience and grace
To breathe deeply with eyes closed like the yogi who sits with legs crossed
I wish to understand the simple lesson that waiting doesn’t mean to suffer
To wait as calmly as a housecat who sits by the steps anticipating my arrival
I wish to chant and sing like a Buddhist who prepares his mind for contentment
To wait with a calm demeanor like a person who reaps good karma
I wish to possess the stillness of a saint, whose loving attention never wavers
To slow down my distracted mind, and dwell in a mindful space
I wish to take responsibility and stop blaming my impatience on others
To have more peaceful intentions instead of filling myself with disharmony
I wish to remember this mantra whenever I feel restless and bored:
There are far worse things, I’m sure There are far worse things, I’m sure.
© 2022 Mark Tulin
Here’s another Zen poem by Mark:
