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by Paul O’Donnell
not just words from the hollow
not just deeds for someone to follow
to give value to our life and life to our values, to give them voice
our story cannot simply be a hobson’s choice
it is for us all to choose a path that is just
and choose we must if we want a world in which we can trust.
honesty and courage live side by side
the other must always have its sibling inside
it takes a heart of strength to stand apart
to offer a claim inviting others to take part
it is lonely sometimes to stand our ground
and be determined to let our soul abound.
they say our conscience gives us all we need to guide
to quell our fears, to face the dark and all that life has aside
without the kindness and respect we so fervently desire
all our commitments and actions will too easily tire
we are responsible for what we choose
so why not breathe what we do not want to lose.
to live with true values we must be inclusive
power without love is reckless and abusive
love without power is sentimental and anaemic
our strength is freely shared, it’s not a polemic
our choice is in every moment, never to ignore or forestall
accept it, we cannot bend or the story ends with our downfall.