Strength

                                        
                                        

                                        Strong strength exudes a bearer’s signature

                                        Holding firm, dividing only in the magnitude

                                        Take, and fashion form,

                                        Sallow summers are without

                                        As winter’s warmth

 

                                        A Paul and John turn

                                        On fired pistol shot command

                                        Incorrigible determination in the hearted hand

                                        Places footfall one, before, another,

                                        Headfast on ribbon and beyond

 

                                        Power, such as it is,

                                        Trounces

                                        In mid-air kumite

                                        Base hardened

                                        Upon solidity

 

                                        Flexibility, the twin, abounds to the free

                                        Wherein taughtness is flexed

                                        Songbird flight, dandelion seed at sea,

                                        Breathe in—breathe out

                                        The open palm

 

                                        For now the limit minds no sleeve

                                        For now delivery is spooned on a curl

                                        Exaggeration refused

                                        It lies unescorted by the lie

                                        That equates coercion with the thug

 

                                        Fought at each breath, blink-gone terror

                                        Pitter-patter dominion purports to know

                                        But as it comes, so it goes

                                        A slimed grasp, a grip knuckle, gripper gasp

                                        So grin and go about your business—be content