A knight in shining armor
Is wanted by none.
What use is a warrior
Who hasn’t walked in the mud?

Pain is a magic
All and awe inspiring
Until you start inquiring
And realize the world is not tiring
That the pain is not umpiring

Doubt is a lens
That makes an anthill a mountain in your eyes.
But if you step through the disguise
You see your heel can squash its size

Fear is but a messenger
It warns you of the bourn
You were made to leave and never mourn

When you are thrown to the wolves
Do like the ancient ones have done
And make them hunt for your prey’s blood

And as a look behind the curtain, here’s the first draft of this poem:

Pain is magic
All and awe inspiring
Until you catch the wielder in his tricks
And you realize you’ve been fooled
That the rest of the world moves on
And the pain is but a sideshow.

Fear is but a messenger
Warning you of the limits
You were born to push.

Doubt is a lens
That makes an anthill a mountain in your eyes.
But if you take the step
You will find you can put it beneath your heel.

When they throw you to the wolves
Be like the ancients
And make them hunt for you.

A knight in shining armor
Is wanted by none.
What use is a warrior
Who hasn’t walked in the mud?

From every arrow which you are shot
Take the head and add it to your scales
Til you have the armor to take the world