In My Father's Footsteps

With youthful vigor, self-serving pursuits did enthrone Fealty's dues trumping pride did disown Encased by unbridled passion, mitigating perpetuity did groan I lingered in your shadow 'till life's cover had blown Then instinctively garnished pages from patrimonial loan I traveled the cobbled path now overgrown; With briers and weeds, spent years to atone I saw your tread on each, cracked stone Blithely meandered toward mutual destiny, alone Strode in each footstep your sweat, tears did hone Pranced through the smooth stretches you did conscientiously tone Through brokered prism scanning each lofty vista, your vision did clone Ensnared by cumbersome demons, frailties; your genetic markers had strewn Skirted each obstruction utilizing exemplary pattern deftly sown Prated o'er each pitfall that your missteps did condone When life's path nearly run, an approving voice echoes from heavenly zone