Life -
to have meaning
has to be lived
with some tension
even with defiance
lest it begins
to fade and sag
in its tameness
comfort, staleness
and acquiescence

it never does escape
the ****** and force
of the vagaries
of circumstance
which stare
in our faces
and challenge
and test us-
we are losers
if we bow out
in any instance

here
in a lonely corner
I stand
buffeted by storms
and turmoil
but remain
unfazed
and unshaken-
my every inner resource
I'll freely draw upon
every ounce
of courage
I'll summon
undaunted
as to the contour
of the future
I valiantly glance!