Brave. What is the definition? We are told, it’s the heart that’s bold, but are we missing something bigger? I sat up one night pondering the meaning wondering, receding deeper into definitions of a destination not obtained.
12 A.M. met my sleepless sight perseverating over percolated liquid life that night. Would the bottom of the red-eye give me insight? Is it confidence, assuredness, a man fearless enough to pass the test? I digress, wrestling with unrest over the concept of this.
Yet all I can conclude is that, even though we are taught to believe that reckless abandon goes hand in hand with what it means to be brave, this is not at all what I’ve seen to be true.
It’s the young mind riddled with suicide inside who tried life one more time today. It’s the sexual assault survivor that still holds onto the concept of love and purity. It’s the single mother who provides for the lives of her children in the midst of poverty. It’s the father who stays, the sister who prays, beloved, these are the brave.
Mama Tried
Mama tried to cook each night and never missed a meal. We ate from plates she washed that day until our guts were filled.
Mama tried to pay each bill so we could have a place where lights were running all year round, where we could wash our face.
Mama tried to discipline and never spare the rod so we could grow to break the mold, statistics, we were not.
Mama tried to educate our young minds to be strong enough to have discernment and to know our right from wrong.
Mama tried protecting us from choices that would steal our innocence and confidence that love was truly real.
The most important thing I learned now seeing through her eyes: I’d grow to be a better man because I learned to try.
About the Author
Edward L Holmes
Edward L Holmes is an educator, motivator and poet with an evangelist’s tongue and a heart for hurting people. Native to the mid-west, he grew up just outside St. Louis, Missouri where he began to bud as a young writer. Edward is the founder of Acclivity Publishing, launching two poetry full-length books this year with no sign of losing steam. More about his books here. Today he is passionate about producing consistent, quality poetry and non-fiction that motivates, uplifts and inspires. Follow Edward on Instagram: