A Father's Mantle

There's a mirror in the mantle , in the dust and the mold
It hangs like a poem , with a story to be told

Now it's pitted and boned , and reflects only cracks
By a candle that flickers , dripping tears full of wax

A story of neglect , like a hinge full of rust
Of words never written , of a Father's trust

Gone in those books , with a poet on the spine
Sleep Knights full of armor , and thrones masculine

This mirror in the mantle , with reflections now dim
Onced looked over a family , and father within

Now it's forgotten , and hangs on the wall
To beam a reflection that covers us all

It's pitted and boned , like a scroll by the sea
And hangs like the Savior still looking at me

Daniel Kleinmeier
American Poet