Worry Poem by Goodness Tchibueze

Does Worry sleep and wake with the day,
While her trails in the sand of memory lay?
Hearts oft seem to crumple and compress,
And pulsations into the shell of fear retrogress:
Fear of ambitions traipsing in the gray
Of a chameleon-skinned hope that leads astray
The good-eyed, green in the heart or age,
Who flips life page after page,
By the sun's or the lantern's fulgent outpour;
Who, ne'er dreamt of dearth or downpour,
Worry oft, and to the shade of regret recourse -
A few, wearing fortitude, the thrusting force -
When seasons in their disfavour veer,
And times at their labours leer.

They take the helm who persist in onward pressing,
Forbearing all tough-crookedness arising;
Not by Worry, but by Faith or Fortitude
Fetched, through praying in quietude,
From Heaven's unceasing rest giving sea.
And when Worry comes, calm you ought to be:

When tempestuous wind jolts your voyage,
And cold and heat through the weather rampage;
Worry ne'er, or vacillate, or shiver:
Muster calm like a reed nigh the river!
When barrenness in Earth's womb blossoms,
And pain steals pleasure from your bosoms;
Worry ne'er, or vacillate, or shiver:
Muster calm like a reed nigh the river!
When all forces ally to blow you away,
Muster calm like a reed, and bend to pray!