These Are My JOTtings...

The Odds Are Against You

The days of Hope seem at an end
the fight that seems its best
Has taken from you what you'd mean
and ev'ry breath's a test.

Oh, Gentle Heart, of failing strength
find Hope in this one thought,
"The battle will find end at length
and Truth will speak as taught."

Saint Crispin's Eve saw fewest men
to fight the largest foe
And Aragorn no Hope to win
on last time line found toe.

But bloody field of latest breath
saw valiant hearts that stood
With muddy victors over death
whose faces changed their mood.

The blackest Gate of grimmest foe
met lordly man with steel,
Whose heart as yet, it didn't know,
if vict'ry would be real.

Yet, when the ring was melted, gone,
and eye no more at last,
The Day of Gondor truly won
and Hope no more downcast.

Some days it seems the ill-intent
of some would sink thy ship,
When better days are quickly spent,
disaster at a clip,

But Valiant Heart, thy greatest Day
is nearly in thy view,
When greatest Vict'ry speaks to say,
"The Best is now made New!"

Your life is not defined by Now,
when others scepter hold.
Just look to that eternal bow,
when you are fin'lly bold.

The King returns and knows your name.
Your place He will install,
Then all the tongues will speak the same
of all on Him, who call.

by Jay O'Toole
on March 11th, 2018