Mirrored And Staged

Is it novel,
  or the persona of
  writing a book

Is it accomplishment,
  or the ability to
  brag and to strut

Is it knowledge,
  or the prestige of
  having a degree

Is it passion,
 or a fire blown out
 in the breeze

Is it devotion,
 or the favors
 your hope seeks to buy

Is it emotion,
 or an act put on
 while others cry

Is it loyalty,
 or the badge you
 can wear on your sleeve

Is it heartbreak,
 or just words feigned
 to con and deceive

Is it strength,
 or the muscles that bulge
 in your arm

Is it beauty,
 or the makeup you wear
 when you charm

Is it vision,
 or a view from
 another’s back porch

Is it time,
 or the minutes and hours
 you torch

Is it courage,
  on the backs of soldiers
  who paid

Is it love,
 or an image
 just mirrored and staged

(Villanova Pennsylvania: July, 2016)