Charlie Smith | + Follow Poet |
Free verse | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

Courage

Courage is understanding
          and confronting reality...
     Cowardliness wounds us with its lies,
          courage binds us in its Grace...
     The moral courage to share love is in and
          of itself our most vigorous defense of fear...
     Self-respect can be lost 
          in the cowardice of silence...
     Bravery bears no chain of betrayal...

     The pain of failure is
          the most useful tool of courage...
     God did not endow us with the will to die
          but with the courage we bring to living...
     Fear could be an extraordinary opportunity
          that may never be presented to us again, seize it...
     The purest form of bravery
          lives in an artist's heart...

     12/13/2016

Copyright © Charlie Smith | Year Posted 2016

Please Login to post a comment

Freddie Robinson Jr. Date: 1/28/2017 3:43:00 AM Wow! Very moving w/such poignancy this poem is, Charlie. It touched me deeply. Your offering of such meaningful truths is such a gracious deed on your part. Ty for sharing this powerful message w/us Soupers. A 7 and a fave. You get the double combo for this special treat. Great write. Love and peace to you always. Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 1/28/2017 7:32:00 AM Your kindness is a blessing to treasure, thank you Freddie...

Sunita U.D Palawon Date: 1/22/2017 8:20:00 AM Well said... in the last line and this is what artists have been showing in daring to bring the change. Courage is what most of us have to build up again! :) Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 1/22/2017 8:23:00 AM Thank you Sunita...

Arlene Smith Date: 1/17/2017 2:48:00 PM Amen and Amen, my brave poetic friend!.. Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 1/17/2017 8:57:00 PM Thank you Arlene...

Richard Lamoureux Date: 1/15/2017 11:01:00 AM Amen to that! Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 1/15/2017 3:13:00 PM Thanks Richard...

Peter Dome Date: 1/8/2017 7:38:00 AM You are so wise and an inspiration to us all. God made us to love each other and te gift of life. Thank you for sharing. Very well said. moig. Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 1/8/2017 7:58:00 AM You are very kind Peter, thank you...

Augustus Black Date: 1/2/2017 9:56:00 AM I believe this is a very interesting write. I like the way you have explained the characteristics of courage and cowardliness. This poem will really fill many vacant heart with great spirit of courage. We all need to face the problems with our own courage only as we all know we live a black world. Last two lines is just magnificent. 7..... keep on going. Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 1/2/2017 10:23:00 AM I shall try, thank you Augustus...

Jannie Breedt Date: 12/29/2016 2:17:00 AM Hi Charlie again, thank you for so graciously replying on my inbox. Interesting that your poem caused quite a fearsome debate among some friends last night. We watched a movie called " Joy" relating to courage. I encourage you to watch it. Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 1/1/2017 7:26:00 PM I didn't know I was that capable of ensighting a fearsome debate. Thanks, I'll try catch Joy...

Robert Lindley Date: 12/27/2016 9:26:00 AM You my friend write with such depth and clarity upon important subjects. Courage is something that in America has been under attack by our own government. Discouraged in places of higher learning. Tremendous free verse! A FAV.... Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/28/2016 9:27:00 AM Thank you Robert...

Jannie Breedt Date: 12/22/2016 12:51:00 AM Hi Charlie. This is really welll written and so deep and apt but alas I must confess ,the last two lines goes right past me. It begs for an explanation Why an artist? Its because it is so well written that I have to ask Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/28/2016 10:16:00 AM Thank you Jannie, sent an answer in Soup Mail...

Janis Medders Tobechi Date: 12/20/2016 10:03:00 PM I am very glad this was on the winner's list. Congratulations. Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/21/2016 12:39:00 AM I'm so glad your glad, Janis...

Sandra Haight Date: 12/20/2016 8:28:00 PM Such exquisite words of wisdom beautifully imaged in your poem, Charlie. Congratulations on your well-deserved podium win! Sandra Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/20/2016 8:50:00 PM You are so kind Sandra, thank you...

Heidi Sands Date: 12/20/2016 4:01:00 PM Wow Charlie! I did not see this earlier and it is going into my favorites. SO well said!! I love it. Congratulations on your well deserved win for this one :) Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/20/2016 8:56:00 PM Thank you Heidi, I hope you enjoyed my humble efforts...

Alexis Y. Date: 12/20/2016 3:45:00 PM Hi Charlie, It's so good to see you on the winning list. Congratulations on your 2nd place win. It was well deserved: -) Alexis Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/20/2016 8:54:00 PM Thank you Alexis, I appreciate your encouragement...

Mark Martin Date: 12/20/2016 3:22:00 PM Great poem! Congrats on your win Charlie! :-) Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/20/2016 4:00:00 PM Thank you Mark...

Eve Roper Date: 12/20/2016 3:21:00 PM Congratulations on your win, Charlie. Hugs Eve Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/20/2016 7:16:00 PM Thank you Eve...

John Hamilton Date: 12/20/2016 2:34:00 PM Wonderful write Charlie, thanks for your excellent poem, very true and just what I was looking for.A7 Congrats on a fine win! Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/20/2016 4:00:00 PM Thank you for hosting and your consideration John...

Joanna Daniel Date: 12/20/2016 1:42:00 AM Wisely said, Charlie, love the last two lines:) Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/20/2016 6:43:00 AM Thank you Jo,,,

Janis Medders Tobechi Date: 12/18/2016 10:45:00 PM I love your words of wisdom. Great picture of a courageous person, too. Good luck in the contest. Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/19/2016 11:18:00 AM Thank you Janis...

Andrea Dietrich Date: 12/16/2016 9:33:00 PM 'very wise words, Charlie!! Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/19/2016 11:18:00 AM Thank you Andrea...

Afzal Nusker Date: 12/16/2016 6:04:00 AM I love the 2nd part, especially the ending. Wonderful write, Charlie. Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/16/2016 12:05:00 PM Thanks again Afzal...

Wendy Rycroft Date: 12/14/2016 2:41:00 PM A great poem Charlie xx Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/14/2016 3:31:00 PM Thank you Wendy...

Talin Kalishian Date: 12/14/2016 2:28:00 AM very well presented charlie .. thank you for sharing ,, courage is hard to get sometimes yet with this poem i found that love is not enough to let go away fear but wisdom as well thank you Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/14/2016 6:14:00 AM The fact of sharing our thoughts here with the world demonstrates a degree of great courage, I thank you for revealing yours Dear Talin...

Jan Allison Date: 12/13/2016 4:08:00 PM You are a wise man indeed Charlie - very powerful poem good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/14/2016 6:01:00 AM That case might be argued by some Jan but I humbly embrace your note. Thank you....

Heidi Sands Date: 12/13/2016 4:04:00 PM Very well done Charlie! :) Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/14/2016 5:57:00 AM Thank you Heidi...

Alexis Y. Date: 12/13/2016 3:58:00 PM Hi Charlie, This is an excellent write. It is filled with wisdom as well. It reads like a winner to me. I wish you the best of luck in the contest. A without a doubt seven: -) Alexis Login to Reply Charlie Smith Date: 12/14/2016 5:56:00 AM You are too kind Alexis, thank you....