25 May 2008

The Contrarian at 44

come let us praise the contrarian
on the eve of his fourth and two score
as he dares to warn of tomorrows
but what for?
to be lovingly, gratefully, remembered?
to be shot, perhaps hanged, or indicted?
no, just to give all he came here to give
unrequited
in the words that he hopes become granite
he writes as he must without pay
freed, never wanting a thing
they'd take away
it turns out freedom's also a prison
to escape it you must test the bars
in so doing the muscles become stronger
but it leaves scars
so please do not pity the contrarian
the shame of his being so right
for everything you see is temporary
even hindsight

stephenhsmith 30sept2006