a sort of balance

if we flow with the river none will drown
but none will see the run rise on the day
when the whole year combines to wash away
all that has kept us back and held us down
no one who struggles ought then just to frown
and demand that the anger cease and stay
but join with those who overcame the fray
and place on every head the golden crown
there are some victories that do not count
but those that matter have the higher price
still we who pay it know that any cost
could never equal the complete amount
nor be exact in total nor precise
to ever equal all that we have lost