On Bravery

Once thou hath stared death’s open maw,

And ne’er a moment blinked.

One’s soul is for immortal changed

As death is now distinct.

We slink about in shadows dim,

As if in Plato’s cave

Not knowing the true truth of life;

That each of us is brave.

Human life is problematic,

Without problems, we doth not grow.

Without sadness, without issues,

‘tis emptiness bestowed

Imagine days stretch forever

No limit to your time

You’d be existing as a god

Perhaps that sounds sublime.

A life with nary consequence,

A life that never sleeps

Is not a life, it is a reign,

Of one need never weep.

No lessons learned, no open hearts,

No remorse; joylessness,

With no thoughtful contemplation,

‘tis life with nil to bless.

The lesson, then, is learn to love,

Please learn thou shalt be kind.

For everyone a struggle hews

You know not what’s their time.

In tragedy, our bravery grows,

Lacking, it doth vanish.

Metals temper, as do our souls,

Or heroism vanish.

Accept that you indeed shall die,

Bathe in life’s bright shower

Yes, one can lose the fear of Death

Or one can lowly cower.

Failing that, when placed in fire,

thou seize a hero’s grace;

Thou must walk through fire’s fear

To reach the fearless place.

--David L. Stanley, April 2022