A free-verse, thought-provoking poem about honor. |
Honor is a most peculiar thing. Some people place honor above all other humanly virtues. In some cultures, life without honor is too shameful to be endured. Throughout civilized time, the highest accolade has been “He is an honorable man.” Many a good man has died in the name of honor. Still, some people discard their honor as easily as a soiled shirt, with scarcely a thought to its value. For a handful of gold coins, for an adulterous tryst, for love of alcohol or drugs, for a cowardly escape, for failure to do one’s duty, honor is forever thrown away without a care, without regret. It’s an oddity among humans that those people who prize honor look down upon those lacking honor as lesser beings, as damaged souls, as unfortunate, failed individuals. Those who place no value in honor, however, appear most unconcerned. In turn, they consider those who forgo ill-gotten wealth or illicit sex or who display courage in the face of death to defend a principle or their country as fools; they laugh at such men’s pride. Yes, honor is a most peculiar thing. Please check out my ten books: http://www.amazon.com/Jr.-Harry-E.-Gilleland/e/B004SVLY02/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 |