It makes one's courage cringe and crawl,
It makes one slip and slog in resolve,
It riles one's conscience, yet keeps them still
It is the Achilles' heel of a man's role.
Fear of injury, death, or loss does so,
Fear of rising against authority does so,
Fear of life and limb forces one indoors,
Fear, fear, and fear make one an imbecile.
Character isn't that which bows to pressure,
Life isn't lived by being blind and dumb;
Yours are not true if they don't stand by you
Be You, Oh Friend! Voice against all ills.
