"A link in the chain..."

The Stubbornness of Self-Sacrifice

I have struggled so stubbornly to stay
Because I simply have nowhere to go
They always told me it was mere delay
That I had to sell out and they should know

But I would not be moved not go away
Nor face the sad reality and so
I got my wish at the end of the day
And now I am a complete stranger here
In my own house gnawed by the rats of fear
Be careful what you wish for by the way

Although it is always up in the air
Although I can know no security
And in spite of what those wiser might say
I intend to keep my heritage where
My legacy can enjoy it someday

Someday they will say "that poet lived there
Even though it was impossible to
Endure what he chose to endure to be
A link in the chain of his family
He did just what he felt he had to do"

And so I live with strangers now but I
Will leave it to my children when I die
And if they should have more money than me
They can replace strangers with family
Forget about some old man and his pain
There will be children laughing here again

Although it is always up in the air
Although I can know no security
And in spite of what those wiser might say
I intend to keep my heritage where
My legacy can enjoy it someday

+Steven Curtis Lance



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