The Unbreakable Pace

A tremor shakes the ground, the air is torn, A sudden, violent, catastrophic birth; The sound, a monstrous echo, coldly borne, Assaults the senses, strips the world of worth.

A silent second where the mind is blank, A primal instinct whispers: flee and hide; The shattered glass, the ruined, blackened tank, Reflect the chaos raging deep inside.

But then, the spirit, forged in hotter fires, A slow, defiant ember starts to glow; It scorns the terror, mocks the pyres, Refusing to accept the crushing blow.

For needs are vast, a mountain built so high, A greater future beckons from the mist; A vision held against the weeping sky, A promise sealed with the unflinching fist.

This isn't bravery in the reckless sense, But will-to-meaning sharply understood; The purpose built, a solid, strong defense, Against the fear that paralyzes good.

The blast may carve a scar upon the stone, It cannot touch the architecture of the soul; The trauma felt, acknowledged, but outgrown, The damage paid, yet never takes the toll.

The heart observes the ruin with a sigh, A brief, respectful pause for what is lost; Then lifts the gaze to that compelling "why," The driving engine that transcends the cost.

The surge of grief-turned-anger, pure and clean, Becomes the fuel to push the progress on; A bitter challenge to the dreadful scene: "You thought to stop us? Watch us until dawn!"

The broken path is simply a detour, The scattering of plans, a quick delay; The need is anchor, absolute and sure, That pulls the being through the darkest day.

And so the pace resumes, a rhythmic stride, No slow retreat, no staggering, broken walk; The inner mandate, utterly relied, Too monumental for a simple shock.