A dedication to my grandfather...
"The Code"
To the boy, the old man spoke.
Whispers things as he would poke,
The fire lit his face and showed,
His burning eyes, he told the code.
"Boy, in life, there's much a thing
That mind to tease, that bell to ring.
But every thing is not so clear,
Twisted paths, they lay from here."
...and so leer he at the flame,
Entranced, he stared as if to tame
To lame the very heart of fire,
To aim his thoughts, his true desire.
To tire too soon would be mistake.
To chance tomorrow, he cannot take,
So break the trance he did at last
And shake old memories from the past.
A gasp, a sigh, and then his eyes,
From flame to child, his brow then rise.
That wise old brow, that's so well worn
By sweat and blood, 'fore many were born.
Adorned, a mask of wrinkles and scars,
That told of stories from distant shores.
Of wars, of women, of treasures sought.
Of battles fought... of lessons taught.
He brought those lessons with him here,
With nightfall ever drawing near,
Though hath no fear, no tears regret.
There are some things to not forget.
And let them guide those next to walk
Their own true path, away from the flock.
So talk he began, the flame near dead
A grin to'ards the twilight and then he said...
"Boy, they say there is no guide,
No sanctuary,
No place to hide.
And pride, it seems, will always vie
For do mi nance
In heroes' minds.
One finds himself then
Lost in seas
conflicting winds
ne'er set at ease
But please know now,
The higher road
If you would vow
To follow the code..."
Though overrode his speech was when
A heavy cough broke out and then
He knew despite his fight,
For true, not last the night
So con ti nue
"...you do what's right,
And rise up strong,
And live to fight
To right the wrongs.
To heal the ill,
Defend the weak,
A soul to fill
Redemption-seek.
So save the dame,
And slay the beast,
You'll make your name
To say the least.
And feast today,
The next unknown,
No past to pay,
No life to loan.
Your own two hands
Is all you own.
All kings are peasants,
with covers blown
So take your hands,
And make your name
Make chivalry
Your claim to fame.
The same as I,
an old man now,
but once a scoundrel
Redeemed somehow.
My swords to plows, a severence,
From wasted life, Deliverence."
The river ends just out of sight,
The old man noticed time is night.
No fright in eyes that rose to stare
and hold the boy within their glare.
“Learn the code, boy. Face the gale.
Journey on, boy. Blaze the trail.
Make your road, boy. Do not fail.
Spread the word, boy. Tell your tale.”
His eyes then close as if to rest.
Content in knowing he did his best.
The test of time was finally through,
The rest was for the boy to do.
The night had past,
the boy moves on.
Ready to welcome,
a brand new dawn.
And on this day the boy now knows
to find his path, see where it goes.
***
my way of giving him thanks
...for everything