This poem is spillover from the May 19, 2015 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from redsixwing . It also fills the "meditation" square in my 5-20-15 card for the Wellness Toolbox Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by daisiesrockalot . It belongs to the series Path of the Paladins . "The Power of Perseverance" Ari grumbled over the state of the blades. "These are dull again," she said, frowning at the metal edges. "So sharpen them," Shahana said. "Life is an obstacle that dulls even the best blade with use. That's why we have whetstones." "I know, I know," Ari said. "It's just boring. At home, my father always used to sharpen the family's blades, but he's -- gone, now." "Here, let me teach you a meditation for perseverance," Shahana said, sitting down beside her novice. The paladin's hands moved with sure, steady strokes as she honed the edge of her knife. "While you work, imagine that your mind is the steel," said Shahana. "You want to make it sharp and bright again. Smooth away all the thoughts that do not serve you." Ari followed along, her strokes less certain but still diligent, her brow furrowed in concentration. The girl was young, but she was learning. * * * Notes: A whetstone makes it possible to sharpen knives . Perseverance is the virtue of continuing in the face of obstacles. There are ways to cultivate your own or teach it to others .