Expectations?

Expectations.

We’ve all got them.

A desire for the world

to work out the way we’d like.

For events and people to be

what we want them to be.

High Expectations.

Never often met, rarely

accomplished and even more so,

rarely satisfying.

The wish, the desire, too often

larger than reality can provide.

Lowered Expectations.

Is just a disappointing phrase.

I don’t even like to mutter it under

my breath as I curse my high expectations

of moderate to reasonable desires

and wants.

No Expectations.

Is to be dead.   

Seriously, if you have no expectations,

you died and there’s nothing left

to want or desire or need even in the

most minimal sense.

General Expectations.

Just a sense that it’ll work out.

They’ll do their job.

It’ll get done.

It’s possible.

Maybe.

Shrug.

Regular Expectations.

Seems like stepping out onto

a tightrope over an active volcano,

while wild islanders chant about their

expectations that if you fall into the volcano

on the right side then the harvest will be robust,

but if you slip and fall from the left, the island is

doomed.

Poetic Expectations.

Even more foolish than regular or high

expectations.  Usually far too much to ask.

Like a kiss from your crush or being
told you're admired for who you are.
Expectantly disappointed.
Again.


-"Surely he will come?". Painting by Christen Dalsgaard. From the Hirschsprung Collection, Denmark