All but the Brave

This man is poised against the sky

for youth to teach him how to live

and age to teach him how to die.

He has the lone prerogative

of wanting wisdom, yet he stands

waiting for someone else to give

all wisdom's trust into his hands.

His eagerness cannot erase

what dark bewilderment commands;

he does not move a single pace

to grapple youth or look upon

the silent pacifistic ‚face

of age... and they will soon be gone.

O Lonely One, how utterly

you dare to brave oblivion.