treading inwards indicates an
embrace of valour
knowing one is held ——
a journey strewn with jagged edges
unknown detours
once on a straight narrow path
turnarounds disappear
jungles untamed appear
lame sometimes becomes our resolve
though forging beyond crags or rags
one cannot sag or lag _____
perseverance becomes no severance
seventh heaven with salvation usurps
starvation
luminosity at end of slog holds steady
in solitude we need make no haste
knowingness, as Heart’s compass
keep us safe
hazards or hurdles cannot curdle
an inward journey ~
Spirit of destined fate never late
turns burnished key into Home to be
w i t h i n is
M A J E S T Y
Behind each charge of valour
Undeflected off Death's stare
Spirit is confessed. A shield
Held of a self luminous, scorching ware.
Search the histories, thick for
The unfanciful! In vales'
Open wounds of disclosure.
That shine out with great sacrificial tales.
When dining with he who calls the tune
remember to pull your punches
don't bite the hand that feeds you
if you know where your lunch is
discretion is the better part of valour
when you want your meal and eat it too
best not upset the apple cart
if you want it handed on a plate to you
and don't forget to butter your bread
on both sides ere you start to sup
as should you drop it on the floor
it will always land butter-side up
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” E.E. Cummings
***************************************************************
The Story of my Life
A stalwart pine tree battered by vile men
And shattered by the heartless hands of fate
I still stand shining, scanning the firm land
In life`s late hours and, though in feeble state,
With valour I bear on myself my weight.
Talk of True Valor
And it is ‘Sailor’,
Not ‘Confined Tailor’;
Quite Mobile Sailor,
Not Static Tailor
Facing Cloth and Color;
In Shops of Pallor
Pin Pricks of Dolour…
And tailors tell lies,
Sailor: where storm lies!
Tailors work and chant,
Sailors for merchant.
They don’t flee from Rum;
Rum helps them to hum
And kick colleagues’ bum:
Their own Chewing Gum!
Tailor near to us
With the job one does;
Sailors’ Ship “Not Bus”,
At sea wins his plus…
But he’s Pure Valor
Tailor for Color.
Courage is the pivot between cowardice and recklessness
harmony for the brave soul as reward for stout-heartedness
I used to enjoy pints of Guiness with a few drams alongside
shared my sorrows with the bottle which never talked back
As realist and high society drinker my glass was never empty
not half full but always topped to the brim and quite far beyond
Slowly my soul drifted into its own drunken death and demise
gloom void agony and oblivion crushed by the crystal decanter
It was the bravest thing I ever did to admit my slushed defeat
and I slammed the tumbler on the slate floor near the fire place
The mark on the floor is still there but my own stains resolved
ten years ago I had the fortitude to resolve the demon of booze
Today I am addicted to life in sobriety and cherish new spirits
like love and compassion and drink Coke Zero on the rocks
I could have ended up as a vagrant licking vomit of my shoes
instead I found a miraculous journey and a home for emotions
08th August 2020
WOMAN OF VALOUR.
where art thou gracious woman.
Peaceful being, strength and beauty at your fingertips.
Adams fantasy, Eve's descendant.
A trophy you are, A queen like Esther.
A child of royal priesthood
You shall strut on a bed of roses.
God's grace and mercy at your favour.
Where art thou lady of comeliness.
The pulchritude favourable
Inner beauty lovable
Thou shall be better than before
An increase in your humanity
Woman of valour, an extraction from his rib you are.
Woman of valour, his helper you shall be
Building bonds greater than that of Ruth's and Naomi's
Proverbs 31:10 A woman of Noble character
Where art thou woman of the 31status
Where art thou women of valour
Past, present and future.
Where are you beings that nurture?
Blessed is you woman of the 31character
Blessed are you woman of valour.
Tin-tin®
DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOUR
The river has run dry, its bed is empty sand.
Across the flower carpet’s dim and dusty land
Penstemon and brave little Brittlebush,
Expecting an inundation, stretch in a rush -
Spreading petals and leaves which their vast
Tapestry of color and life weaves - but they fast
Revert to survival tactics and retract petals in fear
Of the drought of the Sonoran summer each year.
......................................................
Note
The poem’s title is taken from Shakespeare’s HENRY IV PART ONE
Decisions, decisions
So much to assess,
So many pitfalls, fear is ubiquitous
What if you open the wrong door?
What if you don’t like what you discover?
Then you just deal with the consequences,
if you leave it close, you will always wonder…
So be bold and open that door
it may augment you and build your character
either way, you’re the winner
because you had the valor
to face the unknown
and the backbone, to face your demons…
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