How do you catch a firefly
without darkness’s might?
How do you understand darkness
without dawn’s early light?
I watch with wary eyes
as evil makes merry delight,
while good intentions stumble
tempting blindness to suffering’s plight.
Do I have the strength to stand tall,
push forward, do what’s right?
Or will fear force me into shadows
where it’s safe, out of sight?
One may dream
when facing strife,
they will conquer fear
take that step, shine bright.
But until the moment
when evil strikes,
its victim cowering
beneath its might,
will I know for sure
when fear holds me tight
if I will slip into shadows,
or step forward and fight.

Copyright 2024 Heidi Barnes