Voices

Time is constant, ever equal in its passage,
though events may make illusions of it.
Far less steady are Patience and Pride;
They are as malleable as warm clay.

Patience says "It will come if you wait".
Pride says "Show no weakness for it".
But pulled by Time they are stretched thin
and begin to lose their hold on my will.

I am so tempted to reach past them both,
to abandon them and take what I seek.
Only Fear sends me back within them;
"To take too soon is to only lose again".

So Patience and Pride keep barely hold,
with Fear standing guard just beyond.
But steady Time can give as well as take,
and the pull of mute Longing yet grows.