Courage too late

Courage too late

The breeze ran bold fingers through your hair,
but I sat still, I did not dare.
A beetle lands on your bare knee
– braver by far, that one than me.
Your face was kissed and kissed by sun,
I made no move and I the one
who longs to touch and stroke and kiss:
Alas! my courage failed to rise to this.

Hope lies in State.
Nothing comes to he who waits.
All is lost to he who hesitates.
I found courage too late.

In coming days and months and years
I’ll have time to ponder on my petty fears
and reflect with wisdom hardly wrung
so often youth is wasted on the young.

Hope lies in State.
Nothing comes to he who waits.
All is lost to he who hesitates.
I found courage too late.

For in the end, to small avail,
when courage’s come, the body’s failed!

Hope lies in State.
Nothing comes to he who waits.
All is lost to he who hesitates.
I found courage too late.
I found courage too late.