A Man Like Him

When I do wrong his glance is solid stern
By strength of discipline I’m forced to learn

The smile he gives to me is strong but soft
His eyes are proud, his son he holds aloft.

I fail each day to live by all he taught
To be a man his equal, I cannot.

He chooses only perfect acts of mine
Forgiving all my failures throughout time

Now on my own I choose what right I can
Would that the choice be made by better man

Alone I’m not! For he is by my side.
His words—the truths he taught my choices guide

I’ll dare to wander through lives unfair water
If I am half the man as is my father

J. Abram Barneck.
Copyright © 2002 by Rhyous, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: 13 Nov 2003 15:01:22 -0700 .

Leave a Reply

Related Post

Jan 04

But Morning Comes

Alone in darkness weakened by the night A pit I dig to trap my foolish self. Success! I’m trapped and hidden from the light, From eyes that dwell above earths solid shelf. As stone I sit immobile, empty, bleak; Not dead yet frozen by inertia’s power I should escape but will is broken, weak. I […]

Feb 15

And I Alone

He touched her arm and led her out the door And by the hand he led her to his car. They drove away, a night of love in store, And I alone stood watching from afar. She curled in his arms and he did warm Her shoulders, hands, and most of all her heart. Around […]

Dec 01

The Weather Cold

The weather cold intrudes my skin, my soul. My hands stay closed, too stiff to start a fire. Regretting choice, the pity mine is full, But life is right! Survival’s my desire. I stretch my limbs, I fight the bitter ice. My heart pumps blood and strengthens weakened hands. I strive for life, to escape […]