And though young I could not travel both,
And being young, long I stood,
And puzzled which path my abilities could,
Gain riches, strength, and spiritual growth.
There stood my father, before the bend
And told me - he did - there were rocks ahead
So that I might not stumble, fall, and rend.
For while I was young and sure to mend,
He would not see me someday dead.
I ignored his message because I was young,
But it stayed with me because he was stern.
Now those words in my memory are clearly sung,
And no dark fate around me hung
For from those lessons I did learn.
Now strong and wise, a man am I
With lessons learned and taught to those
Whose young ears fade and voices sigh
For they think I exaggerate or I lie.
I forgive them for I too did once oppose.
