the test

[fledgist]

 from shadow into shadow there's no need

to measure honour nor to mete out pain

through the sad morning for each must abstain

from that fierce propaganda of the deed

which was by action of straight force decreed

since all the nature of this world's made plain

and we learn both the cure and the heart's bane

what makes us whole and what will make us bleed

truth does not give the agent much real choice

you get to act since there's nowhere to rest

this side of death that is the one sure fact

instead you have to give justice a voice

face the rough world and submit to the test

just hoping to get all the way intact