When I take a stand for kindness,
a straight and square stand,
no wobbly plea

When I take a stand for fair dealing —
no drama, only honesty

When I take a stand for goodness —
not tomorrow, or at some
vaguely gestured at
contingency,

These things will win,
for they are solid —
not found in the elusive
posturing of quid pro quo,
but simply what they are,
ever here, frame and bulwark
of our home.

©Wendy Mulhern
June 29, 2019