Bard Love (sestina)

I ground myself in humility
that calls on directed compassion
and practiced quest to fine valor,
carried by vivid integrity
and daily practiced honesty
that open hand and song do humor.

But for the Bard to pursue valor
for self and true love's honesty,
that bares the soul to humility,
he must meet challenge with humor
that does not mar such integrity
toward honor's blend with compassion.

Thoughts of love may prompt poor humor
that drains the performer's honesty
from art and professional valor.
Yet he must fix on integrity
and sure deny himself compassion,
but allow embrace of humility.
 
The great adversary is integrity,
which is open to plan's honesty
and bold resolve to bind in valor,
yet enfolds simple humility
that deserves heartfelt compassion
which others may mock in false humor.

Act that others will sample valor,
in every song find integrity,
and each story truth in quick humor
that will build on trusted compassion
without sacrifice of humility.
Such would leave self without honesty.

A Bard's claim to embraced integrity
does not tarnish in tear's compassion,
ever hidden within mindful humor,
but challenges those with slack honesty
to address with hoped humility
that which does not teach such valor.

The honesty of compassioned integrity goes beyond
practiced humility in performance of shared humor,
and ever lived valor spirited by my brother's love.

Kinjal of Moravia