A character within 
By Anna Krause

As artist paints the sky a brilliant blue,
And adds a streak of silver to the cloud,
I slowly lay the background to my life
And feel a character--not shamed or proud.
This character is deep within, and is not held
In bondage to the rhythms of the crowd.
It knows within its fundamental flows
Of when to stay aloof, and move uncowed.
When held along with those who lost their soul,
This character, impervious, will stand unbowed;
And then, as time in silence moves ahead,
It sets what words, and when, will be allowed.