A Ballad for Steven and Rosie

A Ballad for Steven and Rosie
(composed on today's five-and-a-half mile run)

For my son who's twenty-one
And my daughter twenty,
I hope to share some words of wisdom
Worth much more than money.

My wife, your mother, told me once
To "make the starting strong,"
So having quoted her I think
It's safe to start this song.

Having started strong, she said
To "keep the middle short";
That being said I guess it's clear
I need this song to start.

Seek ye first His kingdom
And His righteousness,
And Unto that He said that He
Would add to all the rest.

Thus says the Lord. That seals it.
What more is there to add?
Any more would probably be
Mere wandering words from Dad.

So let me end as I began--
Quoting from your mother--
She said to "end it with a bang,"
And she is like no other.

In case you missed the points above,
Then please let me review:
It only matters in the end
What those two think of you.

Thank God and spouse if in the end
They say that you've "Well done."
And now I thank my Lord once more
For a poem on a run.

Michael L. Knotts
7/18/08