3.1 Bravest of Men
by Eric Chaet
The bravest of men
are not honored
or praised:
their actions
please neither
the masters
nor slaves.
Young people
eager for
short-cuts to take
steer clear
of the brave ones,
& follow the fakes.
The bravest of men are brave ’cause they’re wise:
their thoughts may be lonely, but they see thru the lies.
Everyone looks at them, then—quick!—looks away—
& pretends they saw nothing much special today.
Still, mountains are mighty & friends of the brave—
while others are blinded, they see thru the haze—
while others pretend to be happy & free,
the brave love the brave & have reason to be.
The bravest of men are a trial to their friends—
even their families may hide in the end.
They look on from childhood while liars gain power
& no one believes what they yell from their towers.
Sometimes a crisis comes—they’re called on to lead.
As soon as it’s over, they’re exiled with speed.
Or they may live their lives thru, with zero respect—
while everything decent gets wasted & wrecked.
While people who act brave get worshipped & paid,
the brave men are busy, they’re using their days.
While others achieve some near-sighted “success,”
the brave create that which has real effect.
The bravest of men are brave ’cause they’re wise:
their thoughts may be lonely, but they see thru the lies.
Everyone looks at them, then—quick!—looks away—
& pretends they saw nothing much special today.
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Picture: Cezanne
