for courage and desire but

which comes first

it takes the wind from one’s sails to find desire

without courage to hoist mast yet

courage without a desire to billow its silks is trying to run through

mudded waters

i know i have done both and my eyes tell the story of the tenuous trip this life has been

yet who am i to advise putting down courage when desire wanes

or trying to light the fire of desire with a spent match

i have lived both and continue

that is all i can say

so you now do the same