and still do the right thing,

for courage comes with fear,

not an absence of.

be cognizant of the many foxes

eyeing that steak,

it is the last one on the table

but the gun is not around.

fall into the deep end of the ocean,

with tidal waves one after the other,

not waving at you, consuming more like it

and try to lie flat on your back.

have a horde of trolls be at your path,

threatening to maul what they see as steak,

you may know better,

they got the muscles!

what would you do? what should you feel?

be angry, be indignant, be blunt,

trolls do not walk about,

whatever you do, does not look pretty.

that’s life in a nutshell,

and it is said that most will do anything

to avoid the troll, the foxes, the fear

become painted dolls resting high up in gold caskets,

gold buys the world doesn’t it?

unscorched, untested, unmade,

inert bubbles that look like the real thing.

it’s pretty, it’s comfortable, it’s pleasant

unlike reality – gnawing, testing, it’s a fire.

gold touches skin, dolls are appearances,

appearance are perceptions, perceptions is not everything.

not the soul, not the spirit, not i.

if that means anything these days,

i think that’s the priceless pearl.