A Dedication To He That This Old Poet Truly Admires

A Dedication To He That This Old Poet Truly Admires Hardened was his sad heart when a mere lad- Never a kind word, all seemed very bad- Born a true and strong athlete to behold Into slavery and dark he was sold, Emerged an honest man of mighty girth A living Samson, a man of true worth. As gentle friend one could truly thank God Woe to those that felt his wrath or his rod! Such great prowess one should never deny. Always willing to give others fair try. Stone-hard product of American shores With hand axe, a slayer of savage boars A majestic hunter of no small fame Savage man or beast he could and did tame, A hero returning from the great War Proof as was seen, his many battle scars. Never had he ever failed to show might victor in every hand to hand fight! Such great prowess one should never deny. Always willing to give others fair try. Never one to fear world's darkest powers- A hard worker, no lover of idle hours- Racing to do that which others so fear Holding mother and siblings very dear, Lover of horses, cats and faithful dogs A Paul Bunyan one stroke, splitting huge logs. Rock steady and never once defeated punishing those who had his friends cheated! Such great prowess one should never deny. Always willing to give others fair try. Rewarded to live to a ripe old age- Some called hero, others a wise old sage- Myself, I just loved him as my best friend True chap that is faithful until the end, Bright red roses adorn his earthen bed none daring to walk paths he had once tread. His life and memory are treasured gold kind of brave man, I long to be when old! Such great prowess one should never deny. Always willing to give others fair try. Robert J. Lindley, July 11th, 1993 Rhyme, (Dedication poem) Note- Presented as was originally composed, no edits to the verses(body of the work). I was tempted but then I thought may be best to leave as was felt and written the first go.... Added the word - "Old" - , to the Title, as seemed fitting since that describes the current state of the author