Celebrating Fifty Years

--to John B.

I can see the young man
In your eyes,
The fierce one
Fighting many battles,
Strong of arm
And courage.
I can see you fan the flames,
Burn away your indecision,
Move toward a goal--mighty.

In the firelight,
I see another gleam.
The fierceness is gone--
You talk about your loves,
Your care for son and wife.
You wonder how you've spent your life,
Whether your care will be enough
To make your son an independent man,
Whether you can face the shame you feel
For how you are
And what it takes, sometimes, to be a man.
I am your brother
By the fire--
The cold and dark around us,
Hope before us flickering in the flames
That light the wood
And burn more brightly
In these aging hearts.

Copyright 2006 by M. David Orr