Asking

life sometimes asks too much the strain is like a yoke heavy like water like sand sometimes people ask too much pleading for more notice acknowledgement a kindly nod I knew one who did not ask much he held his tarnished cup he touched the wall he blew his pipe blind from birth this gentle man owned nothing of great value the little that he had he gladly shared in time we learn what not to ask we grow to value devotion in our circumstances and in our gods an austere dearth of neediness comforts the aged ones the lucky aged ones who find wisdom others will die asking and demanding more money or love or fame another grasping day of stolen breath