By Own Bootstraps

http://www.poetrysoup.com/poets/top_100_poets_most_poems_all_time.aspx By Own Bootstraps I had never been handed anything By my own bootstraps up did bring With seldom a father figure in sight Was out at sea both day and night. College managed to work way through With my personal GI Bill that had to do Occasional part tome job here and there And only for myself did I always care. Made it myself and since have succeeded Now that my hair is gray and receded And in God was all of my whole belief He kept me from ending up on relief. All that I have earned will leave behind For other people just like me to find May be small but still should share Many others with be sure to share. James Thomas Horn Retired Veteran and Poet