If all life
were compressed
into one single moment
are you ready
to seize it by the throat
and declare your stand
unequivocally?
this is the true measure
of you as a man--
to do or die

none of us
is a born hero
heroes are made
shaped by time
and circumstance
tested in the furnace
of personal experience
we were hurt
bruised
damaged
burnt
emaciated
dislocated
displaced
cast away
shut from
the light of day
lonely tears
we shed
with sweat
we ate our bread
while fate
crossed our path
and didn't bother
to look our way

we are alone
from the moment
we were born

yet
however
feeble we are
we'll stare
at that which
seeks to break us
only to know
our spirit
could never
be broken.