Benchmarks Poem by Long Tooth

On the days I seem less humble,
Should I stumble into greatness
Or I drown in human vomit
By the light of critic's benchmark.
Let me give self-love a tumble,
Never welcoming false witness,
Think man's praise, my fault a summit,
Oceans' trenches in my ballpark.

Let me bless God-given talent
I might stretch or hope to foster
Any friend that (in my shadow)
Finds some shade and grace worth sharing,
Know it's pride that calls this gallant!
Let my heart be on life's roster,
Not held incommunicado,
Though no poem's King of daring!

Let my joy be more in seeking
Love, than grok a definition
That, too, has a ‘God-like' nature?
Vanity! The thought you've found it?
Though my poem's voice is squeaking
Mouse-like in its admonition,
LOVE is more than nomenclature!
GRACE - Love's benchmark! Faith's man's gambit!


Long Tooth
October 22nd in 2019