just how to be weak

no one who understands would ever speak
of tiny measures that we must avoid
so few of us know just how to be weak

the mountain is much more than just the peak
the teacher more than one who is annoyed
no one who understands would ever speak

we blame the modern more than the antique
not sensing just what we could have enjoyed
so few of us know just how to be weak

we grant no special grace unto the meek
nor praise to those who with great risk have toyed
no one who understands would ever speak

the plainest cloth becomes finest batik
and in the end joins all the goods destroyed
so few of us know just how to be weak

we face the worst and accept its critique
the path we tread is right above the void
no one who understands would ever speak
so few of us know just how to be weak