foes bring fortitude

every great protagonist in stories
boasts a powerful mortal enemy
but in my modest existence i’ve found
i’ve never set foot on a battleground

clarice needed her hannibal lecter
to defeat a painful childhood specter
frodo needed the malice of the ring
to affirm the strength that fellowship brings

with an opposing force, there’d be purpose
a sense of adventure and some mischief
a chance to explore hidden depths inside
the place where my unsung fortitude hides

i’m tired of each day stretching on and on
shaking up nothing, offending no one
a tense rivalry, a passionate foe
that would let my truest character show