What if….
a tribute to Rudyard Kipling
if you can turn your diffidence to wonder,
be humble yet make confidence enlarge;
turn sparks of motivation into thunder
by harnessing your self-igniting charge,
like Sisyphus, if you can roll those boulders
enough to make an avalanche avert,
if you can pull the knives from out your shoulders
despite the knowledge every blade will hurt,
if you can find compassion in the waters
where others seek to imitate the shark,
if you can thwart trajectories of mortars
so shells misfire and never find their mark,
if you can stand like Tell’s courageous target
prepared to take the crossbow bolt and bleed
or pay the highest price for goods at market
then give them as a gift to those in need,
if you can pour a drink for someone’s malice
determined to dilute their heavy heart
by offering forgiveness in a chalice;
encourage them to see a fresher start,
if you can lose the race so others win it
and celebrate the trophies of the meek,
if you can take your comforts for one minute
instead of…
