by Jo Ann Steger Hoffman
Only a few are brave enough, a few
only, who listen to the inner voice
that does not lie, speaks clearly what is true.
These few decide to make the harder choice
to stand apart, alone, claim truth out loud
despite the storms that blow the House apart
when one with strength of purpose stands unbowed
beneath the weight of censure, dares to chart
a course that steers its way by compass points
unshaken by fierce winds of ambition,
steadied by faithfulness to what anoints
a leader with the right to set direction.
What some will view as weakness in this hour
will soon reveal itself as peerless power.
Jo Ann Steger Hoffman’s publications include a children’s book, short fiction and numerous poems in literary journals, including The Merton Quarterly, Persimmon Tree, Pinesong, The New Verse News, Kakalak, Red Clay Review, Broad River Review and Flying South. Recognition from Palm Beach Poetry Festival contests and a Pushcart nomination are among her awards. Her narrative non-fiction book Angels Wear Black recounts the only technology executive kidnapping to occur in California’s Silicon Valley. A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jo Ann and her husband now live in Cary and Beaufort, North Carolina.