liberty deferred

"Life is a compromise between fate and
free will."—Elbert Hubbard

another grave,
wherein, interred
she, whom but yesterday
was all the things
to everyman
who from her fountain sipped.
rest with the brave,
conquests deferred,
the hour too dark, touché,
for questionings
of charlatans
that once too oft misdipped.
     
               how comatose
               a compromise
               to which no blame can fall,
               when, with the earth
               no more alert,
               daughters of eden sleep!
               should life impose
               fool upon wise,
               surrender not your all,
               for in fame's dearth,
               men too-oft flirt
               with gems they cannot keep.

Copyright 2021 September 12
by Clyve A. Bowen♫