Glorious Exploits

by Ferdia Lennon

They show us that glory and power are shadows on a wall.

Such conviction in it, like there’s knowledge at the root of its feeling,

“You don’t rob a man of his suffering,” says Gelon quietly. “That’s his.”

There was dignity even in the worst that could happen under this sky, and I felt less alone.

I have the feeling that the future and the past aren’t separate at all, just different snatches of a single song always sung, given consequence when heard.

For the world was once just a dream in a god’s eye, and the man who gives up on himself makes that very same god look away.

It’s hope that makes us afraid, and I remind myself that a man should be grateful for his fears, ’cause it means he has something to lose and to win.