On Fatherhood

To Lose a Father

Those goodly years spent living life in youth—
in loving his great love, laugh, law, and strength—
turn quickly, now, as contemplating truth,
we come to know the breadth of man’s deep length.
It seemed, at first, to be a man meant to
be strong. Yet, more the definition owns
as time grows old and “man” the deeper, too;
indeed, true manhood owns much subt’ler tones.
A shepherd, pastor, guide, and teacher should
the goodly father grow to be through years.
Entirely oriented t’ward the good
was that great man whose death now baits my tears.
In death, a father still instructs his son:
“Live on with strength ‘til your own race is run!”