Just An Old Man

Just An Old Man Just an old man I came to know his mind still busy, feet were slow. Tired feet lounged in old, worn shoes he had lived, lived and paid his dues! An old man, one I always loved one who taught me to fight when shoved. Showed me to be kind when one could how to work hard and saw firewood! An old man, long ago I knew taught me to say, yes sir on cue. Suffered to give more than he had to raise good sons, not to be bad! An old man, one God took away taught me true love and how to pray. Gave his kind heart and gave his all to teach me to stand proud and tall! An old man, that never forgot to aid me, were I on the spot. Old man that gave, not being asked in that bright light, this soul once basked! Just an old man, so brave and true wore the old, to buy me the new. An old man, one I so cherish I pray to meet, when I perish! An old man, one I hope to see that good son, he raised me to be. Just an old man, one that loved me pray I, to one day be as he! Robert J. Lindley, 9-24-2017 Rhyme( A Tribute To My Father) NOTE: Greatest blessing in my life was to know, love and be loved by this brave and kind man. He passed away in his sleep on the morning of his 68th birthday. I have labored on writing this tribute poem for about 9 weeks now. Leaving it, coming back,making changes. Always trying to improve it, as nothing seemed good enough. Then I finally saw the light, my father tho' extremely intelligent was still a simple man. One that believed good triumphs over evil, that people are only human and thus they should not be judged against a perfection yardstick. For weeks I sought perfection to honor him, one I so dearly love. Then he seemed to say to me this morn-- " son, when love is true it is already perfection, regardless of how its presented." With that in mind, I finished this poem today. And hope you may enjoy it and think beautiful and loving thoughts/memories of your father, be he now living or passed on as is mine..