“Good Friday”

“I want to dance”, he set things up,
“But fail to ask – I just freeze up
And back away – get terrified,
So no one there is satisfied.”

“Don't look at breasts”, came his reply,
“Below the chin don't roam your eye,
You'll be okay, you'll do just fine,
It's not a case of lacking spine.”

He tried it out – worked like a charm,
And passed it on to boys alarmed
By failing to appreciate
That simple truth, so also wait.

For when we first take on new things,
We to that set confusion bring;
We see a huge amorphous task,
Not tiny steps for which to ask.

When first in married life I was
I found it tough to live because
I thought that full maturity
Was needed to contented be.

When first a father – very scared –
I felt it was above my head;
“How could I deal when tot was teen?”
I asked of one not even weaned.

So too when first a minister;
Designing books – plots sinister;
Or driving lessons in the lot;
My first degree (now four I've got).

If we take on entire tasks,
It's more than life of us has asked –
Start at the first, take each small step,
Live fully now, and dump the rest.

So now with me, as I start out
This plunge to take, so look about –
I could freeze up, back off the task,
But I've been there, “What's first?” I ask.

Each challenge meet; this step, this time;
This bridge to cross; this road that's mine;
Some parts not ready, but I see,
Tomorrow's grace will come to me.

So limit view to what's today;
In real-world select the way;
Then venture out – first step, that's all –
“You wanna dance? – let's have a ball!”

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