Well I haven't been posting much lately, but I have been reading occasionally and I have been humbled by some of the stories showing great courage during difficult, traumatic times. It is truly inspiring. I was sitting on a plane today and wrote this poem. I thought it was a fitting tribute to those of you who have endured so much with such grace and humility.
On Being Brave
By Alan Duncan
If I was not so properly brave I would cry,
A heart rending wail descending to a mournful sigh.
Perhaps I would seek a cool, dark place to hide,
With stone walls to repel the encroaching red tide.
If I were not so properly brave I would run,
Far away from the maelstrom of chaotic tension
That permeates my mind with blackened dreams,
A constant pressure weakly held by bursting seams,
And so I stand, terribly brave indeed,
Listening to a quiet voice with authority to lead
My quaking, quivering soul on a path to higher ground,
Where angelic voices sing a soothing sound.
And so I stand, insulated from the dark night,
My mind purged of voices preaching irrational fright.
The muted storm rages on distant plains.
While in my heart a supernatural, soothing quiet reigns.
If I were not so terribly brave, I might be wary
Of an unexpected peace that may not tarry,
Of a sudden surge of joy so fragile it might break
If fears spoken too loudly should cause the air to quake.
Eyes tightly closed, I only see life lived now.
And so with gratitude I take a humble bow.
Low to the earth I release my human pain,
Reaching for heaven, I join the angel's refrain.
Thanks, Alan. We are fortunate so have our very own resident poet!
Shug - You are at the top of the list of people that inspired this poem. When I read your story I feel foolish for all my fears, anxieties, and bitter complaints. You have endured so much with such grace and composure.