Charlie Smith Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

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

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Freddie Robinson Jr. January 28, 2017 at 3:43 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. Charlie Smith January 28, 2017 at 7:32 AM Your kindness is a blessing to treasure, thank you Freddie...

Sunita U.D Palawon January 22, 2017 at 8:20 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! :) Charlie Smith January 22, 2017 at 8:23 AM Thank you Sunita...

Arlene Smith January 17, 2017 at 2:48 PM Amen and Amen, my brave poetic friend!.. Charlie Smith January 17, 2017 at 8:57 PM Thank you Arlene...

Richard Lamoureux January 15, 2017 at 11:01 AM Amen to that! Charlie Smith January 15, 2017 at 3:13 PM Thanks Richard...

Peter Dome January 8, 2017 at 7:38 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. Charlie Smith January 8, 2017 at 7:58 AM You are very kind Peter, thank you...

Augustus Black January 2, 2017 at 9:56 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. Charlie Smith January 2, 2017 at 10:23 AM I shall try, thank you Augustus...

Jannie Breedt December 29, 2016 at 2:17 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. Charlie Smith January 1, 2017 at 7:26 PM I didn't know I was that capable of ensighting a fearsome debate. Thanks, I'll try catch Joy...

Robert Lindley December 27, 2016 at 9:26 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.... Charlie Smith December 28, 2016 at 9:27 AM Thank you Robert...

Jannie Breedt December 22, 2016 at 12:51 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 Charlie Smith December 28, 2016 at 10:16 AM Thank you Jannie, sent an answer in Soup Mail...

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

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

Heidi Sands December 20, 2016 at 4:01 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 :) Charlie Smith December 20, 2016 at 8:56 PM Thank you Heidi, I hope you enjoyed my humble efforts...

Alexis Y. December 20, 2016 at 3:45 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 Charlie Smith December 20, 2016 at 8:54 PM Thank you Alexis, I appreciate your encouragement...

Mark Martin December 20, 2016 at 3:22 PM Great poem! Congrats on your win Charlie! :-) Charlie Smith December 20, 2016 at 4:00 PM Thank you Mark...

Eve Roper December 20, 2016 at 3:21 PM Congratulations on your win, Charlie. Hugs Eve Charlie Smith December 20, 2016 at 7:16 PM Thank you Eve...

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

Joanna Daniel December 20, 2016 at 1:42 AM Wisely said, Charlie, love the last two lines:) Charlie Smith December 20, 2016 at 6:43 AM Thank you Jo,,,

Janis Medders Tobechi December 18, 2016 at 10:45 PM I love your words of wisdom. Great picture of a courageous person, too. Good luck in the contest. Charlie Smith December 19, 2016 at 11:18 AM Thank you Janis...

Andrea Dietrich December 16, 2016 at 9:33 PM 'very wise words, Charlie!! Charlie Smith December 19, 2016 at 11:18 AM Thank you Andrea...

Afzal Nusker December 16, 2016 at 6:04 AM I love the 2nd part, especially the ending. Wonderful write, Charlie. Charlie Smith December 16, 2016 at 12:05 PM Thanks again Afzal...

Wendy Rycroft December 14, 2016 at 2:41 PM A great poem Charlie xx Charlie Smith December 14, 2016 at 3:31 PM Thank you Wendy...

Talin Kalishian December 14, 2016 at 2:28 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 Charlie Smith December 14, 2016 at 6:14 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 December 13, 2016 at 4:08 PM You are a wise man indeed Charlie - very powerful poem good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx Charlie Smith December 14, 2016 at 6:01 AM That case might be argued by some Jan but I humbly embrace your note. Thank you....

Heidi Sands December 13, 2016 at 4:04 PM Very well done Charlie! :) Charlie Smith December 14, 2016 at 5:57 AM Thank you Heidi...

Alexis Y. December 13, 2016 at 3:58 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 Charlie Smith December 14, 2016 at 5:56 AM You are too kind Alexis, thank you....