Authenticity

In times of retrospection we discover The miles our vagrant compass trekked Silent horrors from which we recovered What be righteous or unworthy we assess For to all children life is not toys and hugs Or enchanting dances on daddies feet But bitter realities of drunks and thugs Eggshell walks and battering clubs Bewildering the difference the years can make And the choosing to which one is inclined To follow the path with which they were faced Or to carve a new path by need redesigned They say that Rome was not built in a day Stone upon stone is a sound foundation laid Tethering twine pulling massive loads up high Burying tears in abysses carving smiles from cries Oh no, I'm fine. Concern yourself not with me For I am the architect of my own design Someday a pillar in the Temple I will be My fortress not breeched nor climbed My world hastens wisdoms patience Compassion and mercy will abound Fragrant love skilled willing agents Through tenderness barbarians turn clown Recreating the days of innocence Forgiving those too weak to see That some with all their pitiful ignorance Have not the power to strip you of your dreams There's a power of soul endowed to man To walk by authenticity Pities frown subsides as does vengeance When taken hold of true humility No promise of ease nor heart unbroken To even one was this promise solemnly given Though pain so deep to bleed is relief It is friction that compels the driven Though shadows past haunts you to fright There is light to be found in its darkness For shadows be slight illumination of light The evidence of all you've accomplished How far I've traveled from condemnation My compass directs true north On days my history taunts my persuasion It's for loves sake I've stayed my course