The Courage of Men
The courage of men, 'tis a curious thing;
everyone thinks it's about killing.
The thrill of battle, joy of a fight,
an enemy's face upon displays of might.
Yet the courage of men should not be
asserted in death, in bloody glee.
It should be felt in strength of soul,
measured in how is played the man's role.
Holding high the head, heeding hard the heart -
these herald the courage of men, the few apart.
One never knows all, and cannot plan for it,
but he can prove himself able, one of wit.
A soft hand instead of a heavy blow,
words and forgiveness, not a vicious row.
An offered shoulder, not a closed fist,
whispered support instead of insults hissed.
Too often, the vaunted courage of men
means nothing, abused in each dark den
where strength inside goes to be twisted,
disgrace, hate, where honor once existed.
To show true courage is not to be top dog,
not to make brothers through one's trail slog.
It is to help them meet, even exceed,
his level of worth, of word and deed.
Abandoning oaths and following only whim
makes not a man; that only proves a him.
Shouldering his burden, others' and one's own -
so are the seeds of men's real courage grown.
One need not give all, sacrifice his life to earn
his place in the world, on the heavenly wheel a turn -
self-sacrifice not necessary, selflessness all but;
a man out for only one, the door to courage has shut.
Embrace what needs be done, and a notion is born;
that one means more, that a worthy role is borne.
That one then is worthy of respect, esteem;
the pure courage of men now a life's theme.
Copyright © Andy Sprouse | Year Posted 2014
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