Courage

This poem is especially for Howard P.

COURAGE

Cowards

are we all,

Who easy choices

make.

Fear whispers

In every ear,

Few choose not,

To heed.

Seldom to us

Is given

Greatness.

Yet,

It is not

The Grand Acts

That make us

Great.

Rather,

Small choices,

Carved out of despair;

Forged in pain:

Choosing life’s

Hurtful embrace.

Not for other’s

Scant approval,

But for

Self;

We do that

Which we

Must do.

Living for

Ourselves

Is never

Easy;

We stand

Alone,

Balanced

At the Edge.

Giving no thought

To others,

We fall among

The Uncaring;

Heeding too much

Another’s call,

We Join

The Sheeplike masses.

And, yet

ALL this knowing,

We DARE

To say,

“I CHOOSE.”

© 1987, 2009 Lyle T. Lachmuth, All Rights Reserved Adapted from “New Cycles” by permission of the Author