(A reblog of an item I posted in February.)
Pride can be
hidden in failure,
when the very endeavor,
the struggle itself,
……….confers dignity
But, no shame
attaches to failure,
no dishonor assigns,
except in the instance
……….of failure to try
For, to stand by,
do nothing,
when something
needs doing,
……….is shameful indeed
Ignoring the plight
of obvious need,
suppressing compassion,
withholding of succor,
……….is shameful indeed
To let a wrong flourish
by turning blind eye,
conceding inaction
permits its advance,
……….is shameful indeed
A failure to speak up,
to draw and assert
moral judgment
of manifest evil,
……….is shameful indeed
Edmund Burke would agree
that the black ink of guilt
tattoos the character,
staining the conscience,
……….of lazy good men
The right defeats wrong,
the good conquers bad,
only if, only when,
the battle’s engaged
……….with affirmative force