Conviction


A man, to survive must never once care
For what the effete folk think
Vicarious cowards who, jealous, stare
And knowingly share a wink.

The cautious exceed the daring, ten
On twenty to one, at least.
They never suspect, for actual men
Adventure is life s vast feast.

They tally success by approval s nod,
Of fashionable acclaim
Real heroes feed vultures on fear-soaked sod,
No marble to mark their name.
12-04-83

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