Starting Now

By Mildred Barthel

Patience, eyes!

Look with kindness

On the struggling child

And the dangling shoelace.

Patience, hands!

Don’t help small fingers

Clasped to the sticky

Stirring spoon in lumpy batter.

Direct things from a distance,

With a soft voice;

And growth’s desire

Will tie the shoe,

Smooth the lumps,

And take on greater adversaries.