Insolence of the individual

Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
where peace eternal, free from pride,
appeals, - appears an easy answer when all’s said !

Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing - sickled Time at side -
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.

The silent seconds, spendthrift, greedy glide:  -
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dared seek inside
earth’s secret soul. Seemed stillborn when their hour was sped.

All those who strive to hitch a ride
at the expense of others, led
by selfishness unjustified
accounts must render overhead.

Whate’er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; - bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,

his place is precious.  Don’t deride
the diff’rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, - those most behind who think themselves ahead !