In Praise of Walkers

I will not speak of many,
Nor of those who think of walking.
My interest lies not with the quality,
Or the distance covered.

My praise is of those who do,
Inconvenient, honorable, difficult,
Unprofitable, dangerous, unpopular “walks”
That need doing.

Without them science does not exist,
And the naked king would be applauded
For his choice in apparel.
Without them the stone would lie unmoved

I salute those who would walk knowing
Their direction may cost them family and friends.
I speak of people who demand reason of themselves
Rather then rationalization.

Like Job they want answers, not bombast,
They demand a hearing, not a harangue.
They are but few and forever endangered.
Let us cheer the bravery in their choice.