DISCRETION

DISCRETION


Why answer the call of hate
Which need not be heeded?
Why exert the tongue or pen
When silence is needed?

Why try to reason with one
Who does not know reason?
Why expect a warm wind when
Winter is the season?

It has been truly said that
One’s discretion indeed
Is a policy better
Than charging with a speed.

Fools rush in where angels do
So often fear to tread.
Some letters are simply left
By the wise as unread.

Lord, grant me that I may be
Forewarned and thus forearmed
Against the unscrupulous,
So that I be unharmed.


* Written in abcb, 7-6-7-6 format

• Initially written as entry 399478 in Miscellanea, "MISCELLANEA" . Posted as the present static item on 22 July 2008.



M C Gupta
16 January 2006