What of tomorrow?

Oct 07, 2014 16:50

Captain, I come with news of news. The informed opinions of talking heads and intellectuals who muddle the discourse with details of your alleged fault in today’s action. If we don’t speak credibility will be lost. What is your response?

Nothing. Stay the course. Tell me, what do you think of tomorrow? Of the great and many things that remain to be done?

Captain, I come to you with complaints from the leaders of our great society. Those elected by the people. The representatives of bases from both shores and all that remains in between. What will I tell them?

Nothing. Stay the course. But what do you think of tomorrow?  Of the great and many things that remain to be done?

Captain, I come with the fears of many. Those of low faith. Those who wished the bestowed rank fell on the next man. Those who greeted your appointment with gun powder, whisky, and nostalgia for a golden past. What will we tell them to cool the glowing embers of their panic?

Nothing. Stay the course. Now, what do you think of tomorrow?  Of the great and many things that remain to be done?

Captain, I have not come with news or complaints or fears. I have only come to know why you have never said more. Why not greet their arrows with lifted shield? Why not calm the fears and silence the talking heads and intellectuals? Why “nothing”?

Because they only speak of sunsets and our work is in the coming day.
Because their hands, even if blistered like ours, were not blistered in our work.
Because their shoes, even if dirtied like ours, and clothes as ragged were not made so under the same demands.
Because their arrows fall harmlessly in the dirt at our heels.
They only speak of sunsets and our work is in the coming day. So, again, dear friend, what do you think of tomorrow? Of the great and many things to be done? 

focus, criticism

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