Courage

the root of courage

the root of courage 
is a simple acceptance 
of the job at hand

there are no heroes
there is only this awful
noble decision

i traded these chains 
for a walking stick and a 
pocket full of sand

this matchless valor 
in bloody consecration  
of my shattered land

i conquer my fear 
by submitting daily to 
its bitter wisdom

what is more lofty 
than for a hundred men to 
march forward to death

this young soldier weighs 
ninety-eight pounds soaking wet 
fifty of them heart

i remind myself 
that i am not descended 
from cowardly men

every day i walk 
from the comfort of my bed 
into the unknown

encourage the good
and if you will not then just
pass him in silence