A Truth about Character

In an open windy field
we plant
a single aspen and command
it not to bend.
-
Charity is the first virtue we nurture
reminding you that “God is love” & “without love you are nothing,” & “a kindness done is a kindness earned.”
omitting, [by accident or design] that love also makes you vulnerable & that the more you give the more open you are to pain.
-
We instill a sense of justice
but to your dripping hard water tears
we respond:
“that’s just the way the world works” & “life isn’t really fair.”
-
“Honesty’s the best policy” our slogan, if cliché
& so we send you out [with all your failures]
into a lying world
to compete with cheaters & see how you fare.
-
It’s almost twisted, the labors we take
to establish your sensitivity
before we fling you to the jackals and wolves
instructing you to [with love] fight evil.
-
You’ve been told that your hard work, virtue, character
will pay off;
that if you do “the right thing” it will all “work out.”
and sometimes,
it will.
-
But there will be times when your love is scorned, or twisted to break your heart.
The justice you live by won’t be the same standard others use to judge you.
While honesty may establish trust [for your sake I hope it does], you will miss out,
because, although the most deserving, they know about you
what is hidden in everyone else.
& your sensitivity will assure that you’re wounded by the overwhelming brutality.
-
So knowing this,
why would we plant
an aspen
in a windy field & command it
not to bend?
-
These virtues may serve you well, but they also may disappoint.
We teach you to do the right thing because regardless of what you get,
it will determine who you will become, and who you will become like.