Honor Poem by William J. (Skip) Henderson Jr.

The early years of the twenty first century
Have brought us terms not of endearment
But political correctness that blurs the lines
Between fact and truth in order to not offend.

Sadly this way of describing common everyday facts
Dresses them up so they are less offensive; more difficult
To comprehend, hence misleading and odious.
This way of communicating leads one to compromise his honor.

Honor is an attribute that is bandied about as one that
Raises one above reproach but is also the most abused.
We expound our virtues in a veil of honor
That distorts and misleads in a guise meant to deceive.

Honor is demonstrated with consistency in what one stands for;
Integrity in his beliefs and fairness in his actions.
Somehow honor, today, means something else that has
Come to be less than is expected and an item for barter.

When our honor becomes a commodity
It inherently has a price, our honor is for sale.
To the highest bidder goes the primary guage
By which we measure ourselves and others.