Defiance

Courage wears faded jeans

in a church parking lot,

and only hesitates a moment

before heading inside.

*

Courage gets up

when the pain is bad.

Stretches out the aching,

and goes to work.

*

Courage’s leg jiggles,

hands stutter over strings,

but keep strumming

for a roomful of people.

*

Courage falls down

and gets back up.

Moves forward,

seeing no other option.

*

Courage is afraid.

Courage would not exist

without fear.