292 and 293

The one belief that really got to me,

against what had my courage on a crutch,

was that, against a deep depravity,

me and my friends were winning well, and much.

No, I don’t think that you are at full strength

without that camp of equals at your side.

Integral as the senses is the length

that goes companionship that doesn’t hide.

All instinct knows this fact. And that is why

we never wrote too kindly of a cell.

To look with hope and not enact a lie

requires someone else to look as well.

Young man, if you find that the war’s awry,

go grasp the arms of those who fight nearby.

~~~

The politician shall be hated most,

for, equal to his love, there’s hate enough.

The warrior has lots of love to boast

except in all the foes he failed to snuff.

There’s few who win but love alone from man,

it might be said it cannot e’en be done.

But I will tell you that I know it can--

and simple men can have it simply won.

Go find you, in your neighborhood, at home,

a stranger you would not have ever met,

and do in secret every service known,

and, in your way, give all that you can get.

I tell you, you will know no hate in this,

and loving so will never go amiss.