True Power Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Is power to have it.
More crucial than a truth.
Knowing to have it lived.
And relying upon honesty,
Without this being deceived.

Who is it that having power benefits?
Before the misuse of it,
Destroys the quality of life for all.
And who is it that will ultimately,
Fight to the bitter end...
Believing to have become untouchable.
Only to be found,
Stripped down to the ground.
From a top to have fallen.
By their own mental instability.

Leaving no one around.
Scurrying to find the power,
To feel or give...
Neither sympathy nor empathy.
Choosing to be left powerless.

Crucial are these times,
Many should define for themselves...
If a power to have it,
Known by others who are envious of this.
Is a happier existence,
To feel threatened by others.
Equally corrupted.
With sick insecure wishes to have power.
Regardless how it is obtained to get.

Or...
Is a life happier to live,
With integrity to earn.
And respect to give,
To others whomever those others should be.
Participating together,
In the uplifting of humanity.
Which...
From all qualities to wish and prefer,
Would anyone choose to pick?

Knowing true power to have it,
Is having identity and dignity.
Not to want it flaunted.
But to feel and know to be real.