Expect Nothing 

Expect nothing. Live frugally 
On surprise. 
become a stranger 
To need of pity 
Or, if compassion be freely 
Given out 
Take only enough 
Stop short of urge to plead 
Then purge away the need. 

Wish for nothing larger 
Than your own small heart 
Or greater than a star; 
Tame wild disappointment 
With caress unmoved and cold 
Make of it a parka 
For your soul. 

Discover the reason why 
So tiny human midget 
Exists at all 
So scared unwise 
But expect nothing. Live frugally 
On surprise. 

Alice Walker