The Character Within Brian Henson ©2000 As artist paints the sky a brilliant blue, And adds a streak of silver to the cloud, I slowly lay the background to my life And feel a character--not shamed or proud. This character is deep within, and is not held In bondage to the rhythms of the crowd. It knows within its fundamental flows Of when to stay aloof, and move uncowed. When held along with those who lost their soul, This character, impervious, will stand unbowed; And then, as time in silence moves ahead, It sets what words, and when, will be allowed.