You stand not in these hallowed halls
To slink through shadows, worn and thin
To be encaged by worry’s walls
And chained by driven doubts within.
It burns inside, a knowledge-flame
That blazes through denying word,
Declaring you are not the same,
And breaks the bonds of hope deterred.
This churning, searching for a door,
Out of restraints named flaws and age,
Rise up! You know you’re meant for more!
Your soul can’t hold within this cage
Your wings will break, your voice will die
Should you not rise beyond these chains
And soar to join the burning sky
To lift your life-song unrestrained
To strife! To danger is your call!
To whirling power of this flight!
You stand not in these hallowed halls
To fade to shadow, veiled from sight

– s. Clark