A Poet Laureate, whose fame had grown over the years, was invited to speak at a ceremony in the nation's capital in a month. Given the importance, he decided he would prepare a poem for the occasion. As he began to work on it, his assistant stood over his shoulder and watched. As he wrote, the assistant said, "That is shit. You can do better." So he threw the paper away and began again. The next time he wrote, the assistant, having read the draft as he prepared it, explained, "That is even worse than the last attempt." Again, he tore up the paper and pulled out another sheet to start anew. As he began the third time, the assistant stated, very loudly, "If this is the best you have in you, you might as well stay home." This went on and on for days, with the assistant constantly criticizing the poor quality of the poems the master was attempting to write.
Finally, one day, frustrated and at the end of his patience, the master waited until the assistant left the room to get fresh supplies for the office. When he was gone, the master quickly wrote a poem, this time, due to the time restraint, without giving it any thought, just letting it come from within. He had it done by the time the assistant returned.
When the assistant approached the desk he noticed the poem. He looked at it, read it, and looking up, he said, "Now that is what everyone expects of you. It is about time."
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