Applause For the Valiant

To all my once upon a timers
To all my dreamers in the sky
To all my long lost familiars
To all those who dared to try
To all those who wished upon shooting stars
In the midst of propitious nights
To those who twisted middle around index
And tussled with maybe and might
To those who swayed with the ball
Hoping it might swing in their favor
To those who clutched at their beating hearts
And still chose to move forward
To those who excluded rhyme and reason
From their bags of tricks
And stocked up on Why Not and Just Because instead
To all of you
Who looked out at bitterness and pain
But still never said die
To everyone who whistled a happy tune
Whilst the ground cracked and trembled beneath you
To those who sprouted wings
To be better than circumstances intended
To those whose spines never curved
Under the weight
To those whose passions
Still burn bright
Even after the world has since declared checkmate

To the ones under the starry starry nights
With twinkling eyes and good company
Unknowingly hanging on for dear life

I applaud you