Hidden Gifts

HIDDEN GIFTS So long we live within confines self made In patterns of our lives that seem unchanged For safety of familiar curbs we trade Our power where ‘cross parlous world we’d ranged Why hazard chance of failure should we try And risk humiliation when we fold And crumble in embarrassment thereby Then in our shame resolve: no more be bold! Yet life pitches from time to time a blow That gives us choices we would soon deny * Yet when we dare dominion of the throw We find a hidden gift we now can ply Beware when others tell us to take care The caution we adopt may be a snare * I use the word ‘soon’ here with the meaning of preference