The Hero
July 1, 2004
People may always preach of martyrs
And what they have bravely died for
But those who live on beyond them
Have a greater need for something more
To live is an open, maiming wound
One must slog through fatal pain
And even if in death they cry
They have not lay down in vain
Living with courage and to the night
From dusk 'till dawn and the morning's light
Takes far more than what the martyrs gave
Whose chances are past and taken to the grave
A hero's tale is not founded upon invulnerable bravery
But with the fervent loyalty of friends, the solace found
In those who have burdened what others do not even
Dare to touch for fear the pain they live should compound
Throughout every betrayal, each step upon the broken shards
Does the hero tread with determination, wincing at each pace
He is not more than human; his pains are yet the same as each
And every person he saves; but who dares to look upon his face?
Do those that do see the truth of what he is
Or do they assuage their fears with a lie
So that they may live easier and with joy?
For all the hero truly wants is just once to fly
A triumphant crescendo is not how his tale shall end
But as a quiet largo to a rhapsody's end, and they shall weep
For he has made them change their lives, and given to them
The beauty of truth and courage to take that final leap
And after the centuries have passed
The truth of what had happened to the hero
Shall finally come out—and the glass
Of all the windows shall shatter as the people
Shriek and cry and then ask why this was
What was it that made him sacrifice what he had
And the wise old man who has seen the world
Will give a plain answer with eyes darkened and sad
"He did it not for you," he would say, "but because
Those he loved, both first and last, showed him what life
Could be for him and he wanted you to see that it was.
He may have a canvas riddled with scars and sorrows,
But in the end he died with joy—for he had found what
It was that told people to live to see their morrows."
Dedicated to those who have died the world over and throughout history in defense of others, and particularly to those who have faced the prejudice of others and rebelled - whether quietly or so loud the world shook when their impact was made.
prej·u·dice - 1.) An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts. 2.) The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions.
he·ro - 1.) A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life. 2.) Someone who fights for a cause.