When I have lost my temper,
  I have lost my reason, too.
I'm never proud of anything
  Which angrily I do.

When I have talked in anger
  And my cheeks are flaming red,
I have always uttered something
  Which I wish I had not said.

In anger I have never 
  Done a kindly deed or wise,
But many things for which I felt
  I should apologize.

In looking back across my life,
  And all I've lost or made,
I can't recall a single time
  When fury ever paid.

So I struggle to be patient,
  For I've reached a wiser age;
I do not want to do a thing
  Or speak a word in rage.

I have learned by sad experience
  That when my temper flies
I never do a worthy deed,
  A decent deed or wise.

This poem is in the public domain.