May 2014
On humble fare though he may dine
soft light of a candles flame
Walks with a sense of purpose and time
upon his soul is there no claim
A man treads light on honest poverty
no coward nor gentleman's slave
Gives of his love to the poor of heart
stands fast in the face of the grave
Bearing for her life's burdens
soothes the children of their tears
Is the rock all others break upon
leaves fond memory of his years
He knows the value of free will
as honesty will rule his heart
Owns pride born of forgiveness
to the fallen grants a new start
Give the fools their silk and wine
the dishonest pretense of gentry
Only welcome of a good mans door
can allow for a monarch's entry
He knows this as his fellows do
from every house, field and station
One need not be a worshiped lord
to be master of God's creation
Tate
soft light of a candles flame
Walks with a sense of purpose and time
upon his soul is there no claim
A man treads light on honest poverty
no coward nor gentleman's slave
Gives of his love to the poor of heart
stands fast in the face of the grave
Bearing for her life's burdens
soothes the children of their tears
Is the rock all others break upon
leaves fond memory of his years
He knows the value of free will
as honesty will rule his heart
Owns pride born of forgiveness
to the fallen grants a new start
Give the fools their silk and wine
the dishonest pretense of gentry
Only welcome of a good mans door
can allow for a monarch's entry
He knows this as his fellows do
from every house, field and station
One need not be a worshiped lord
to be master of God's creation
Tate
When I first wrote this piece it lacked an owner. I was looking for the man who virtues would personify the qualities listed herein. When I met Michael I knew I had found just such a person. So last Christmas I laid it out on canvas. It was given to Michael as a present. Little could any of us imagine how prophetic these lines would become. Yet none the less he remains the one deserving in my mind of such an honor. When I met Michael I turned to my wife and said" Man what a nice guy. He must have great parents". And so he does. His father Steve a generous stoic soul, cut from the tough pioneer stock that once tamed this country. While his mother could best be described as a saint. It is easy to see where his strength and humanity came from. Michael was one of those few men by whom we judged ourselves and found we were wanting. Michael s life ended tragically a few days ago. What's left to say but we loved him we miss him. Nothing fills that void.
What more could a man ask but to have a loving family and good friend's?
What more could a man ask but to have a loving family and good friend's?
