•
that illuminate the field of glory
nor midst the din of exaltation
if you seek a hero’s story
look instead outside the glare
in the quiet place beyond
where no accolades are strewn
and no ivy laurels donned
where daily life is hard
and the living less than grand
where the strength to persevere
depends on the extended hand
where the poor struggle without
the weak endeavor day to day
it’s here by selfless sweat of brow
the brave endure to find a way
willing to give all they’ve got
to daily do what must be done
to share when even they have not
to face their fear not turn and run
to reach and help the one’s in need
to fight the fight that must be fought
more than the words — to do the deed
to stand and smile not shrink distraught
it’s among these who seldom win
yet rise each day and strive again
it’s here your search should begin
it’s here you’ll find your champion
• • •
(tanka)
•
kind words quell salt tears
strong hand steadies unsure step
warm smile calms heart’s fear
no praise sought or expected
quiet humble champion
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
Two lovely poems which contain a lot of sense! I particularly liked the Tanka, and itched to proofread the first! 🙂
Thank you Viv, proofread your heart out… 😉
…rob
beautiful
Thank you David…
…rob
Wonderful prompt and beautiful touching words, thanks Rob!
You are welcome Geraldine, thank you for your kind words…
…rob
Quiet Humble Champion… so rare.. thanks Rob for a very thought provoking prompt.. one feels it
is easy to write on champion but when one sits and thinks.. its amazing..
You are welcome Ramesh…
…rob
The first piece is amazing, and I doubt if anyone could say it better.
You are most kind Linda, thank you…
…rob
Lovely twice over…beautiful words.
Thank you Sher…
…rob
Beautiful. I like the Tanka too!
sombre sobriquets
Thank you Gautami…
…rob
Rob,
both of these are beautifully written and profoundly full of wisdom.
I appreciate your kind words Tammie…
…rob
This poem has such strength of word and image. It so aptly says what needs to be said, thank you….
You are most welcome Dances — thank you for your ind words…
…rob
I’d like to thank you very much for this prompt, which made me search long for an adequate image, as well for words.
Thanking you as well for providing the Good and Hope from within yours. Please have a good new week.
you’re welcome robert, thank you…
…rob
This is great! You certainly gave us a prompt that has produced many wonderful poems.
pleased you liked it teresa…
…rob
This is a beautiful poem…champions are everyday people who give their all and persevere. Thank you for the inspiration for this week’s prompt.
thank you WG, and you’re welcome…
…rob
Very beautiful words…loved the tanka more… 🙂
Thank you Sumit…
…rob
That was beautifully written and so very true! Thanks for the great prompt choice~
You are very kind Patti, and you are welcome — was my honor to provide a prompt to Sandy and Andrée…
…rob
Both these poems are excellent but my preference is for the tanka.