Submission by Lawrence Beck

[Lawrence Beck]

The Value of Hardship

It may be worthwhile to put on my jacket,
And my hat and gloves, and venture out
Into the stubbornly still half-lit morning
Toward the street's edge for the paper
To review the grocery ads, and it may be
Worthwhile to confront the frigid winter
Air, a man against the elements, instead
Of staying here inside, coddled, swaddled,
Too secure..., but maybe it would not.

(unpublished)