All of it. The young man who knows his dreams are constrained

by unfair limits. An acceptance laced with dark humor.

Others just as deserving touch the sun.

The enthusiasm of another youth who still has energy -

to believe he can be bigger than his body.

The world is better than this.

The creative, resurgent spirit of the downtrodden -

who bravely etch out space to grow.

The community fabric woven by countless willing hands.

My own inadequate attempt,

just drops in a bucket.

The dogged, hopeful belief -

those drops matter.

The still hungry mouths and minds

never to be reached. And I say, nevertheless.

[Prompt: write a poem using the first and last lines of A Stubborn Ode.]