mettle

those who say they know their worth
so oft over or under-estimate, approximate,
misjudge the thing that makes them wonderful
for weakness

and you whose mettle
time and temperament have proved
who justice sought, for rightness fought,
who does both what he must
as well as what he ought
you, poorest judge of all,
when deem yourself
too small to make a difference...

can't you see
the difference already wrought
for, by example, you have taught
the world
to better be
the world,
and in it, me