I

I

A lightning rod

draws power

every day

every hour

to take the strike

for the house

it cannot hide

like a mouse

to give life

to a city

to give all

accept no pity

Standing tall

cannot bend

even when others

off must fend

even when grey

or pitted with rust

it must not fall

nor break, shake, or trust.

And as repayment

for its past

it is replaced

for a sleeker cast.

Tossed to the side

like a stone

branded broken

and left alone.