Beyond Their Time
By Jim Hardin (June 18, 2002)
I know of men born beyond their time
Trapped in an age of self indulgent chaos
Men who long for chivalry and honor
Though they dread that age is long lost
Many say such an age really never was
That mankind has always been beastly
So they’re ridiculed and viewed as quaint Pollyanna’s
Without a common sense of reality
These men for the moral codes they keep
Their values derided as archaic burdens
By those who comfort in a conscience-less sleep
That man’s spoken word is made of never fading ink
Yet neither saints nor sinless are titles they claim
For they know freewill is to temptation but a single link
Preferring truth to vic’try and honor to pleasure
Not chosen, but choosing the life they should
Men constantly struggling against selfish modernity
Tough seems obvious their efforts will come to no good
They helplessly watch as their children are drawn
Like a herd to the wiles of Lucifer’s grain
Many tell them it’s useless to struggle against
A time without honor, virtue or shame
Yet struggle they will till the last of them falls
As we’ve read in Arthurian legend and rhyme
Though out of step with the rest to the course they will keep
These very few men born beyond their time
Not A Penny For My Thoughts
By Jim Hardin
“A penny for your thoughts” they say
To find out what I’m thinking
But seems such low a price to pay
For the risk that I’d be taking
For when I speak the risk is run
That some would take offense
Though honesty they claim to want
Most feel the copper ill-spent
So tis best to give your thoughts for free
In that way they stay your own
‘Cause though some in anger will be
At least they can’t ask for a refund
