Joyful Ruins

The courageous

are the ones

who suffer most

Their reward

may be

inner strength

or wisdom gained

but

so often

this world

and others

may admire courage

but they do not

accept it

or show it love

I have sat

with people

I do not know

when I could have chosen comfort

only to have

those people

leave the table

I have spoken

honestly

about my feelings

vulnerable

and received

guilt

and denial

instead

I have said

hello

to strangers

who seem lonely

and been given

a dirty look

I’ve left

home

tried new things

sought out love

risked my heart

chased my dreams

and in all of these

I have lost

I’m not saying

one should not choose

courage

but that courage is

often painful

and when it is chosen

it should be chosen

for courage sake

rather than

the reward