What Gives Beating Hearts Strength

Would a lesser spine break under the weight
 of tribulation that persists past the arc
of perceptual balance? 
 
Atlas shrugged,
 and Achilles knelt in fear
that he would never get up again.
 
What gives a soul the strength
it needs to labor through an
ache with no cusp?
 
Can any being with the necessary conviction
become victorious?
Or are some destined to break
under the boot of life's ugliness?
 
Tired men ask themselves
these questions every day,
taking comfort in the fact that
no one can hear them.
 
They would be seen as cowards
in the face of their peers
    ...Even though they all look in the same mirror,
hoping for a reflection
with some sort of consistency. 
 
Some sense that they are
accomplishing what they were put here for.
 
We're all being put to the "Test",
and yet no one truly knows what that means.
 
Maybe it's the mirror.. 
         Maybe it's what we accept after each day,           
                                                                   when we're tired and broken.                       
  Maybe....                                     
                    If we have the courage to hold our heads up                                           
                                                                                    and look ourselves in they eyes and know                    in our hearts that we're truly present inside ourselves.
 Maybe...             
                    I think.                       
                                 That's what gives beating hearts strength.
 
 
-James Kelley 2013, All rights reserved.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

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Davis Avatar
December 15, 2013 at 1:07 PM
James Such a powerful and deep write. You took the reader on a journey of passion that tugs at the readers heartstrings and makes them think of the message in these words. Nice job
Kelley Avatar
January 29, 2014 at 2:12 AM
Hey Robin, So sorry for the late reply...I somehow missed it. Thank you however for taking the time to read and comment. So glad you enjoyed my verse.
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