Courage

An observation

Courage

I have often heard of courage
When I was young it seemed important.
To see it displayed is a wonder to me

I saw the Civil Rights marches
Met by fire hoses and batons
They sang their hymns and changed the world.

I saw that Chinese student
Face a tank in Tien an men Square
He stood there alone blocking the way.

Anyone who has seen it knows it
Whether it is on the field of battle
Or in the frightened eyes of a woman in labor

Age has allowed me to see it
It has allowed me to know it
But has not taught me to have courage.

When people talk of it
I will always think of my Father
A soldier and a Ranger battle tested

“Courage is not having no fear,”
He told me when I was a kid
“Courage is about doing it anyway.”