Episode 34: Meeting the Master by Elisa Wald

Meeting the Master

"Beware the fury of a patient man."
John Dryden

I dreamt you had the patience of a prayer:
You let me memorize your open hand
Before you closed a fist around my hair.

I read a warning written down somewhere:
"Beware the fury of a patient man."
I dreamed you had the patience of a prayer.

I'll swear to the truth if you'll take a dare,
Plead guilty if you'll force me to the stand,
And close a knowing fist around my hair.

Yours is the rhythm of a rocking chair:
Steady as an hourglass spilling sand,
I dreamed your patience would make saints despair.

I've yearned to cringe beneath your level stare.
My wish had been to be at your command---
To kiss the iron fist around my hair.

I've waiting for years, searching everywhere,
But only you have made me understand:
Patience in a slave is itself a prayer,
And answered by your fist around my hair.

*One of my favorite poems*