The Lessons

The Lessons

He sat me on his knee,
And hummed, "Listen boy, I've things to say:
Wasn't long ago,
I was a young'un too, enthralled to play!
We kicked the can,
Skipped rope and ran around the yard all day.
         I didn't mind the future,
         No time to sit and ponder;
         I let myself believe that
         I had time enough to wander."

Further down the road,
I was a man, a husband and soldier, too;
He was gray, but strong,
And offered wisdom with this view:
"I walked that path,
With my rifle in hand, my soul steeled through.
         Hold your lady close,
         At times you must roam.
         Yet, wherever you go,
         You're never far from home."

Later on in life,
I sat alone in a cell I made all by myself;
From behind the door,
I heard him, "Child, take pity off the shelf.
You'll fall sometimes,
I know I have, more times than I can tell.
         Don't fear the fall,
         Nor fail to learn;
         In time things pass
         And peace returns."

His words were truth,
Time healed my wounds and I moved on.
I found my place
But far away from all the things I'd known.
Still, he was close,
With this advice, "Again your life's your own,
         But mind yourself.
         Stay sharp, stay clear:
         As long as you're strong,
         You have nothing to fear."

The years keep passing by,
He's gotten old now, I can see,
Yet still a spark
Of vibrancy lights his voice, and lovingly
He says, "Now boy,
I love and miss you, but my time's not long to be.
         We all must have
         An ending, child.
         But don't mourn long;
         We'll meet in a short while!"

I think of all he's said,
His tales of light and younger times,
The gifts of wisdom,
Pieces of himself, each of them a dime.
I've absorbed all he has told me,
It wasn't hard because every word had reason and rhyme.
         Live, love, find peace
         And take a break to ponder;
         As long as I am strong, then
         I've time enough to wander.


This is dedicated to my Grandpa Bunce. He taught me all these things and more, as well as making strawberry or chocolate milkshakes on request. I am thankful every day that he and my grandmother are with us.