some days you feel all the years ahead,
and it lifts your heart out of the mire,
setting you to the tall proud walking
of a hero, a statesman, a champion.
other days you feel the pull
of years passed by
when you were the hero,
you won the fight.
these days lift you in a different way,
instead of inspired, aspiring, striving,
you stand tall just knowing that you might never have to do it again.