Courage

Oh, what a brave man!

Tank Man

Anonymous he stood

Solitary he faced

A line of tanks

His arms, shopping bags

Waving

In action nonviolent

Halting

An army entire

Protesting

In square Tiananmen

Oh, what a brave woman!

Julia Hill

Butterfly on her shoulder

Solitary she sat

On a monument living

Luna, a tree gigantic

Resisting

In action nonviolent

Stopping

Plunder greedy

Saving

A forest whole

Oh, what a brave child!

Sweet Greta

Eyes determined

Solitary she stood

To destruction fight

Of the planet

Spreading

In non-violent action

Rallying

The world kids

Facing

Beings powerful

Changing

The direction of nations

Many stories we hear

Of those with no fear

Of sacrifice, service

Candour and no compromise

We speak in awe

Of those who did not bow

The power of one

Who battles won

Mandela, Gandhi

The list holds many

They were like you and me

And yet lived free

We ask them meekly

How do you not fear?

I did tremble at the sight of tanks

He said, but I could not walk away

I did shiver when the hurricanes hit

She said, but I could not let Luna die

I did want a normal life

She said, but how could I unsee it all

We feel our fear as you do

The difference, dear friend

Is that we do feel fear

But we love a lot more