Wisdom and strength

I sometimes wonder what it means to be strong.

Can I posses muscle, but get swept along?

Is strength the thing you feel in your core

When it seems like you can’t go on anymore?

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Am I still strong if the pain too much to bear?

Or is the strength the fact that I can feel it sear?

Is it control I seek when I work my muscles?

Or the silence I can keep through the ruckus that bustles?

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Perhaps strength is mocking desire-

The self control you can acquire.

Maybe it means to be truly brave-

To endanger, deal with and then save.

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But true strength needs wisdom at its right hand-

Strength to actually do and wisdom to grasp the demand.

Wisdom to know the time of need and strength to physically fight.

Wisdom to know if it’s a passing shadow and when not, strength to cast light.

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It’s strength that builds your power of choice,

But it’s wisdom whispering that inner voice.

So listen carefully before striving to stand-

For, wisdom and strength go hand in hand.