A Lesson In Anger Poem by Jim Yerman

She was sitting in quiet protest.
She was there to take a stand.
Her mission on this particular day:
to protect her sacred land.

Another person was screaming at her.
I can't repeat the words he said.
She did now cower, did not respond...
She stared stoically ahead.

When the screamer had finished and departed
I took this woman's palm
"How did you not get angry? I asked.
"How did you stay so calm? "

The woman looked up at me and smiled
Then immediately sat up straighter.
"I find it easier to swallow my words first, " she said,
"than to have to eat them later."

It's true we all face hard times,
But here's the lesson that she taught...
It is a fool who cannot feel anger...
But it is a wise one who will not.