A Man of Character

Where does one find this elusive beast?
Endangered Species List perhaps
Or maybe extinct a better description
Is he a figment of the imagination?

Certainly not in the halls of congress
Or others sworn to public service
They send our young ones into battle
Then line their coffers with blood of our children

Among the rich and powerful do they reside?
Captains of industry they once were called
Surely these are men of value we seek
Were it not for graft, greed and unholy alliances

Ah sports! Mighty muscled men of action
Supposedly driven by love of the game
Bearing the standard of competition and fair play
All the while moping, doping, demanding, abusing

Perchance they walk among us in plainer cloth
Fathers, grandfathers and sons
Who feel no need to shout their righteousness
Quietly living their lives with an internal compass
That always points toward right
Do you suppose that in our frantic search for heroes
We've missed the ones directly under our collective noses?

copyright Anna Stephens