What We Settle for (Poetry)

We start with high hopes
picture the ideal
fanciful and rare
dream such things are real
hang on for dear life

Tuck each fragile thought
safe beneath a wing
till the moment’s right
the first hint of Spring
sets the heart alight

And love blossoms there
crazy high and wild
seeming without care
whirls the happy child
caution lost to sight

The further we climb
much farther to fall
we each learn in time
illusion is all
pretend as we might

So settle at last
for what offers less
danger and yet while
we suffer less stress
feel wistful in spite