"Verses of Virtue: Navigating the Shadows and Embracing Light"

The shadows loom, obscuring light
Deceit and lies, this murky plight
Yet truth emerges, piercing night
Abide, serene, in wisdom's height

False masks hide hearts, motives unsound
Accusations fly, integrity drowned
Calm seas ride out the stormy ground
Stand tall, unshaken, integrity bound

Cynics deride, good faith they flout
Their bitter words breed fear and doubt   
Rise above the clamor and shout
With compassion, their pain routes out

Jeers and slights, the coward's attack
Meant to distract, defend what they lack
Glance off your armor, turn the other cheek
Still the ripples, no need to speak  

Seeds of hate find fertile land   
Spreading thorns where flowers once stand
Tend your garden with steady hand
Pull the weeds ere they expand

Stone by stone malicious forces build walls
To divide, as civilization falls
But open minds leap boundaries tall
With patience, those walls will all

Mockery flung, egos inflated  
Delusions of grandeur, minds jaded
False crowns tarnish, reputations faded
Walk away, self-worth unfaded

Cunning manipulators, charming at first
Then controlling, abusive, predatory thirst
Free yourself, know your inherent worth
Escape their bonds, then go your own way

Jealousy festers, envy stirs
Aiming to keep you from growing, learning
Shed their constraints, your potential unearthing
Onward, upward, no time for worrying

Greed drives them, endless appetite
Taking more than their share by might
Satisfaction lacks, when fed is spite
Fill your heart with goodwill, shine your light

Arrogance blinds, fuels domination
Seeking always elevation  
Gently lead, inspiration your mission
Wisdom guides to true vision

Anger flames, destruction they sow
Vengeance consumes, causes only woe
Temper reactions, allow wounds to mend
Paint a future where foes become friends

Violence begets violence, an endless wheel
Hurt people hurt, trauma concealed
Interrupt the cycle, show a way to heal
With empathy, hatred you can repeal

Cruelty inflicted, suffering spread
Insecurity projected outward instead
See through the pain, to the truth unsaid
Help end the torment, lift the downtrodden

Bigotry festers, ignorance abounds
Walls built on fear, divisions compound
But you know better, you see common ground
Speak truth with courage, let love resound

Oppression's bootendeavors to crush
Dignity and dreams turned to dust
But the resilient spirit learns to adjust
And mic by mic, raises the silenced voices

Lies spoken enough become perceived truth
Facts disputed, objectivity uncouth
But deceit ultimately reveals its proof
Have faith, what's real will not remain aloof

Power misused, the wicked prosper
While integrity pays unfair cost, suffer
Karmic scales balance, none above another
Goodwill sown will bear just recover

Naysayers demand conformity  
Punishing uniqueness, creativity
But visionaries flourish in liberty
Building better futures, revolutionary  

Critics attack, threatened by innovation
New ideas disrupt tradition's stagnation
Progress unstoppable, despite frustration    
Stay focused, avoid reactionary temptation    

Minds once open, now closed shut
Suspicious, afraid, goodness left unmet
But seeds once planted again will sprout
A new generation, hopeful, heads uplift

Judgment cast, blame assigned
Flaws highlighted, any good maligned
Remember wholeness, all have shined
Seek understanding, bitterness left behind

In darkness blooms nourishment for light  
Through suffering, we learn how to unite
Hold onto hope with all your might
The dawn is coming, have heart, stand upright

Turmoil spreads, fear is sown
Bonds of trust severed, left alone  
But solitary trees need not stand on their own
For interconnected roots deep underground have grown

Storm clouds loom, but they soon shall pass
What's broken can heal, time will amass
The means to build again on firmer base  
Stay strong, have courage, at your own pace

Winter bites but spring will come once more
The frozen ground thaws down to core
Flowers force up through frigid floor  
Rebirth stirs, ice cannot stop life's roar

Cruel tongues cut, words wielded as blades
Egotism rules, conscience degrades
Retain values, stay on higher planes
Their own bitterness is their worst plague

Darkness falls but cannot extinguish
The light within, your inner luminance
Fan the flames 'til they flourish
Beacon of hope, your perseverance

Weights of woe try to pull you under   
Currents of anxiety cause you to blunder
Stay afloat, take breath, look up and wonder
You're stronger than you know, just don't go under

Their storm rises, effort to defeat you
Rain pelts down, blinded you can't see through
But skies always clear, sunlight will stream anew
Stand resolute, you will weather it too

The cycle repeats, but each time you grow
A little wiser, more of your own glow
Rise ever upwards, even and slow
No need to rush, just steadily go

More aware of the schemes and facade
The ego's front, its smokescreen mirage
See past the surface, peer into the heart    
With empathy, not malicious or vindictive art

Offense comes from inner uncertainty  
Afraid, they cling to lies stubbornly
Recall times you were likewise unsteady
Have compassion for their insecurity  

Weathered but wisened, humble yet bold
More patient now, steady hand takes hold
Of life's rudder, path forward unfold
Stay the course, let virtue remake the mold  

Times change, new leaders come forth
To pick up the torch, show a better road's worth
All play a part in progress hence birthed    
Have faith, hope not misplaced, keep your mirth

The cycle repeats but upward we rise
Each peak a bit higher 'gainst the skies
Stay focused on that light before your eyes
Not sunk in the mud, nor mired by ties

With purpose you walk, help others ascend   
To summits where all divides mend
Lift up those trampled, extend a hand
Spread wings of change, let goodness expand

Stay above the fray, your integrity guard
Influence with patience, understanding shard  
When from light you sway, realign with the stars
This darkness, too, shall pass, times transform

Let go of grudges, leave behind all that harms   
Protect spirit, rise above, no need for arms
The future shines bright, beyond alarms
Have hope, stay calm, that light ever warms.











   The poem is part of a full version found in the book “Homo Sapiens” Part Part I - XVIII, written by Mawphniang Napoleon. This book is part of the popular “Homo Sapiens” book series, which can be purchased online at various online bookstores, such as Amazon. The book is available for purchase for those who are interested in reading the complete version of the poem. Remember to get all the books from the “Homo Sapiens” series, as well as other books by the same author.   So, don’t hesitate and get a copy today from one of the many online bookstores.   Khublei Shihajar Nguh,  (Dhanewad  )(Thank you )