Overtaken by Events

We’re often overtaken by events;
‘We didn’t see that coming,’ we complain.
But  gods of Fate are deaf to our laments
And heap upon us earthquakes, fire and rain.
We curse our fate, we shake our fists and cry,
But all to no avail - the waters rise,
The ocean heaves, the fire falls from the sky,
Our houses are engulfed before our eyes.
Some see it as a judgment for man’s sins;
‘Repent!’ they cry, ‘forswear your evil ways!’
But even good men die when Fate’s wheel spins,
And Death takes no account of pious praise.
So don’t let future fears bring you despair,
Just hope that when the tree falls, you’re elsewhere.