Climbing the Stairs

Climbing the steps 4/25/2012

There are better places

Than standing on a scaffold

And there are better feelings

Than a noose around your neck.

Smoking a last cigarette

And saying your prayers

Before the hood slips over

And you are done.

Even faith in nothing

Is faith in something

And if there is no future

Then aw all might as well kill.

Some people believe

And some people do not

But no matter what you think

I have seen the difference.

Nothing great comes without risk

And there is nothing worse

Than contempt and ridicule

Enough to keep the good silent

And herded like sheep.

If there are any last words

Then let them be said

Because today is just as good as any

To pay our last respects.

I am not here

To sway anyone’s opinion

And I didn’t write these words

Just to bring you down.

But rather to cast a light

In the shadows

To contrast the difference

Between good and bad.

Situations change

And so also do feelings
But what is right is right
No matter who we are.

It takes a larger personality

And a greater character

To recognize your own heart

And search out the demons.

An awareness of your own perceptions

And understand where it can lead

To filter out your own perceptions

And check blind ambition.

But if you have made the journey

Then you know the feeling

That gnawing sensation

That you don’t fit in

And never will.

But that is a good thing

Because that means you’re awake

Aware and alert

A free spirit

In a world of the dead.

Because by then you know

That in this world

Even the brave

May face great hatred

And even the good

May die in shame.

For seldom have great things

Been accomplished
Without the sacrifice
Of a few in silence

Or many in terror.

We all know the feeling

And who has not watched

The good hung out to dry

Cowed into silence
By the crude and abusive.

And who has not hung

Afraid to draw attention

More afraid of losing their livelihood
Than standing up for truth.

Because we all have friendships

And we need to pay the bills

Afraid for our children

And afraid for our position.

But fear emboldens the violent

And humility feeds the boastful

As kindness is mistaken for weakness
And honor mistaken for retreat.

Someone must take the risk

Knowing that they may fail

And someone must reach boldly

Where even the good

Cringe in fear.

Let the words leap from the page

And let the truth blaze in the sky

That the tipping point is here

And all the lies are over.