Smiling Alone*

Reflections

 

     The strength to be weak

                        to see oneself

                        -- one’s weakness

                        and to accept it -- in front of everyone

 

The strength to change, to move on -- against the tide -- all alone

The strength to demolish -- that which one had built

                    in many long years

                    with one’s own hands

                    in great pain and with great love

 

And the strength to dream -- once again

The strength to build again

                    to demolish again

                    and to dream -- yet again

 

The ambition to achieve -- nothing

The ambition to make the effort

And the heart to see that -- as achievement

 

The courage to lose, and to see that -- as triumph

The courage to bear -- persecution, banishment

And the power to take revenge --

                    by forgiving

                    and loving

                    and giving

 

The gift of giving -- one’s own self

                    without letting anyone know

                    and of smiling alone