Suffix Matters

Expectations breed disappointment.
Expectancy breeds delight.
One suffix, solitary change in black in white,
so different in the heart.
Variables of life prevent us, or should,
from planning very far ahead. Plans change.
People get sick. Obligations barge in
uninvited, demand a seat
in the front row, while what we wanted
has to wait outside in the misty night
or stand in the kitchen hoping for at least 
a scrap of something tasty to tide us over.
But the absolutes
we knowthatweknowthatweknowthatweknow 
are better behaved even when excited,
offering hope and enthusiasm like fizzy drinks
or something topped with whipped cream,
child-like faith that the best is yet to come
if we will patiently wait.


(c) Ellen Gillette, 2012