Only Courage Remains

36

1st Place 2000 Torino Award Winner for “Outstanding Poem”

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When justice is only a word blackened with lies
only courage remains

When evil extracts a toll that destroys all hope
only courage remains

When `me and thee’ are alone against a hostile world
only courage remains

When cold, hard steel destroys tender self
only courage remains

When the brother who held you with a lion’s heart falls
only courage remains

When even friendship seems not enough to keep the flame of life alive
only courage remains

When the single hope of reunion lies in eternity’s hand
only courage remains

When midnight dims with life’s ebbing tide
only courage remains

When revenge is not sweet, but bitter of soul
only courage remains

When the champion’s heart wills the warrior to live
only courage remains

When eyes of sleepy azure meets those of summer skies with the promise of another tomorrow
courage shall remain

7/6/00