Choosing Heroes

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January 10, 2014 by phicks2012

Yes, I know. I published a poem just a few days ago as my BLOG, and I don’t normally run two-in-a-row. However, that last offering was included in tribute to the passing of a friend, and I decided not to change the planned oder of things otherwise.

This verse was written a few months ago for my SCA newsletter, and while considering the fact — okay, as far as I’m concerned it’s a fact — that we need heroes in our lives, and the roles that they serve.

I hope you enjoy it!

 
“Choosing Heroes”

We each seek out idols, whose deeds we admire,
Whose talents we hold in esteme;
Whose goals and achievements our hopes do inspire,
And live at the hearts of our dreams.

We gaze up in wonder as though at the sun,
Drawn in like a moth to a flame,
Applauding their virtues and accolades won,
And miracles done in their name.

We pattern our visions on what they’ve achieved,
And map our ambitions as well,
Our fantasies fashioned from what is believed
Of heroes, caught up in their spell.

But heroes are human, not godlings or fey.
Perfection is seldom their lot.
And we should recall that their soles are of clay
Remembering what they are not.

They will not be angels with untarnished wings,
Nor yet from Olympus come down,
But they can inspire us to wonderous things,
Though they bear neither title nor Crown.

Commemorate virtues to wear on your dreams;
Hold dear to ideals and to goals,
And let heroes spur you to victories supreme,
Remembering that they have souls.

[07 September, 2013]