When faced with vacuous, swollen hubris,
an ancient drummer comes drumming drumbeats of cowardice;
urging dignity to squawk and cower in a corner like a trembling mess,
look him in the eye in stilly, stony silence
and prod your pride to soar high into lofty loneliness
When a small, miserable masquerade
comes wearing a cloak of exalted greatness,
an ordinary chicken hijacked by the dream
of the lofty eagle floating aloft above scared birds,
stand alone and, with truth and conviction, peel the mask!
