I'll stoop to be a noun
if the reference will resound
with others seeking truth
found by words applied without
these labels hold a tainted
asking more than they give
except when the need does arise
to educate a larger crowd

otherwise the labels taint
the person I’d like to be
with a shadow that extends
into the realms that came before
dragging the tendencies
for verbal unpleasantness
look to the reasons why
they were vilified

pioneering adventurers
walked paths now obscured
with trials that few have seen
on this side of history
still their experience
the shoulders of giants
instructs their descendants
to worse that life presents

bravery is the illusion sent
when the word are cast
to change the aftermath
demands that I commit
confirming what’s been told
experienced along the way
now that I’m the pioneer
with good and bad to share.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20190301.