Jack Pelham

Who has got the sense
To wonder about a thing,
And to count that wondering
A good use of his time?

Regarding the candidates,
The one has no sins,
And the other has no virtues!

I can appreciate
That you have missed my point—
And especially,
Since you have worked
So very hard to do it.

Quite obviously,
You care very deeply
About not seeing
What I see.

Is there nothing from the past
That’s worth saving?

Nothing worth defending
Or preserving
Or valuing?

I suppose I have learned
The beginning of wisdom—
If I am not overestimating myself—
But it is now quite apparent to me
That I will not see the end of it
In this life.

So far in this crazy world—
In all that has happened
Since the beginning—
Not one bit of it
Has been impossible.

There she sits, ready to pounce
On the least little suggestion
That God actually expects the Christian
To do anything.

We could be friends
If I were certain you
Would not hurt me—

Or if I were brave enough
To risk it, not being sure.

He beholds the horse
And marvels at the being that it is—
Its noble bearing—
Its undeniable presence.

It is nothing for you
To enter by the exit
Or to drive the wrong way
Or to park across two spaces.