Relative Strength

Heralded stands the rock in a torrent
The one regarding strength in itself a prize
Iron-willed, repelling nature abhorrent
And in weathering assumed sculpted and wise

Formidable is the boulder not budging
With resigned solemnity does each person pass
Ignoring in awe or politely begrudging
Yet never glancing towards its foundation of grass

Brittle and withered lies the fatigued support
Though death’s never entertained in the mind of one blade
Resent they not that their life is cut short
Cling they to the remembrance of the glory in shade

Die they will though from the weight of their burden
Having forgotten the energy so blessed from the sun
Noble was their life’s mission, of that they’re certain
For standing on principle could they’ve nothing but won

Sacrificed themselves thanking their murderer remaining
Their own silent truth too beside them has passed
In the mind of not one remembered for sustaining
Ultimately their victory left them not first, but last.

And touching down now on that bald grave of delusion
A blue-speckled dragonfly shuffles his feet in the soil
But finding averse its darkness of reclusion
Simply takes flight that may its future uncoil

Returning the stroke of each moment with excited wings
He keeps no plans on which path he’ll next follow
Possible it may lead to a banquet of kings
Or alit a lonely hyacinth crying in a dark hollow

But every coming second for him is a new map unfurled
On naught but the next moment does his current depend
Darting to and fro that never he’s touched by the world
Renewed is his innocence with each flit of the wind

For moral certitude has he never assumed nor sought
His only recognition the slight swat of a hand
Strength gotten barring strength from thought
His only vague principle, with pride be damned

And so with eyes to the future, strong does he fly
Trumpeting neither past moments nor present made tracks
For found he the answer for which all men try:
Truth lies amidst inconsistency’s cracks.