Why Life?

This place is ruled by those that disavow joy
But that is just the reason to have more than before
For there is only one way to temper steel
That be to place it firmly in the fire
As the fires are fanned by bellows
And once bright red is achieved nearing white
So hard to believe I could be so bright
On anvil placed, pounded with all the might
Of blacksmith's meaty hand
Shaped and shard it has to be hard
The weak shall bend the hard shall snap
Only the strong could stand it so long
Freshly beaten and moved
I am blessed with the cool waters
Of brazier's bucket
And just when my colors turn from
Orange to yellow to gray
I am driven to say
Thank you for putting me back
Into the fires of life

All rights reserved to James Martin Cox