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 some 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 Once looked over a family and father within Now it's forgotten , and waits 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