Expect Nothing

Expect nothing. 

Live frugally On surprise. 

Become a stranger 

To need of pity Or, 

if compassion be freely 

Given out Take only 

enough Stop short of urge to plead 

Then purge away the need. 

Wish for nothing larger 

Than your own small heart 

Or greater than a star; 

Tame wild disappointment 

With caress unmoved and cold 

Make of it a parka 

For your soul. 

Discover the reason why 

So tiny a human midget 

Exists at all 

So scared unwise 

But expect nothing. 

Live frugally 

 On surprise. 

~ Alice Walker ~