The Hard Kind of Courage

Courage that splits mountains
with a word

Courage that drives the spike deep and true by the tie
like a twenty pound hammer
swung with memory
laying track
for the generation unborn

Courage that braves dogs and deep water

Courage that stands by the window
and keeps watch while the children sleep

Courage that scales the scaffold
and puts cowardice on trial
that makes a fool of lies
and a beggar of hypocrisy

Courage that says “praise God, whatever comes”
and “send me, I'll go”

Courage that says yes to life
though it kill me, though I die
to make it true

Courage that slays giants with a river stone
and pharaohs with a holy promise

Courage that rushes on
like a mighty stream
like all the hot blood of the human heart
linked to a greater love

Courage tough as meat, hard as bone
that stands in the ring battered and bruised
and bloody and says
another round, life
I'm not finished with you yet
and out of all these jabs and blows
let's see if we can't make a dance