Patience is

being able to wait

an active holding back

curtailing your (re)actions

and impulses for future benefit

denying yourself reward in present

It is considered rather than spontaneous

often against own motivations and/or desires

in relation to later positive changes or results:

imagined, hoped for, expected or assured

It requires practice as it is not a given

and relies on some predictability

of processes & social relations

as a basic foundation for

a chosen or required

conscious decision

to be patient

For a patient

patience is imposed

Illness, body & medics set

pace, rhythm and goal regardless

of desire, motivation, choice & decision

In a pandemic all are potential global patients

having to be patient without predictable outcomes

This future is both threatening & unknowable

patience is directed but into darkness

Trust, hope & compliance are key

as are vaccines for all of us

before a new beginning

becomes possible

with patience

‍

© Barbara Adam

13 April 21